PRESS RELEASE
DATE: 12.01.2010
The Automation Partnership Premiers Live Cell Observation & Analysis System
Exclusive US Launch on TAP’s Booth 457 at LabAutomation 2010
Cambridge, UK: The Automation Partnership (TAP), a world leader in the design and development of innovative automation for life science applications, today announced the US launch of Cell-IQ® - a live cell observation and analysis system. The automated system has applications in drug discovery and stem cell research and is being premiered on Booth 457 at LabAutomation 2010 in Palm Springs, California, USA.
Cell-IQ, developed by Finnish company Chip-Man Technologies, is already being successfully employed in prestigious universities and institutes across Europe and Asia and is now exclusively available via TAP in the US and Canada. It consists of a cell culture incubator, microscope, light source and high resolution camera integrated to intelligent image analysis software that automatically monitors, records and quantifies changes in cell morphology and distribution, without the need for labels or dyes. The system allows cells grown in plates to be maintained under optimal growth conditions for days or weeks, maintaining imaging settings even when the plates are removed to change media. Cell-IQ enables long term walk-away observation and analysis, ensuring data of consistent quality with minimal user intervention.
Dr Jane Spencer-Fry, CEO of Chip-Man Technologies, stated: “We chose to collaborate with TAP because they have good penetration in the US automated cell culture market and like Chip-Man are renowned for quality and excellent service. TAP has employed a dedicated Product Specialist, based in the US, who will provide expertise and support in discussions regarding use of primary cells, cell co-cultures and mono-layer tissues.”
David Newble, TAP’s CEO, added: "We are excited to be the exclusive supplier of
Cell-IQ to US academic and commercial cell culture laboratories. This system fits perfectly into our growing automated cell culture and processing portfolio as we continue to strengthen our dominance in this market sector. We look forward to unveiling this powerful live cell observation and analysis system on Booth 457 at LabAutomation 2010.”
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For Further Information Contact:
Matthew Walker, Head of Communications, The Automation Partnership, York Way, Royston, Hertfordshire, SG8 5WY, UK.
Tel: +44 (0) 1763 227200 Fax: +44 (0) 1763-227201
Email: matthew.walker@automationpartnership.com
Web: www.automationpartnership.com
Dr Jane Spencer-Fry, CEO, Chip-Man Technologies Ltd, Biokatu 12, 33520 Tampere, Finland.
Tel: +358 (0)10 759 5900 Fax: +358 (0)10 759 5930
Email: jane.spencer-fry@chipmantech.com Web: www.chipmantech.com
Editor Contact:
Dr Sue Pearson, Director, International Science Writer, PO Box 170, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, SG5 3GD, UK.
Tel/Fax: +44 (0) 1462-635327 Email: sue6.pearson@ntlworld.com
Note to Editors
About The Automation Partnership
The Automation Partnership (TAP) provides advanced automation systems and services to improve productivity in life science research, development and production.
For over 20 years TAP has been the leader in the design and development of cell culture automation systems with applications in regenerative medicine, discovery research, bioprocess development and biologics production. These range from fully integrated systems, such as SelecT, CompacT SelecT and Cellmate to smaller bench top products, such as Fill-It, Capit-All and CellCelector.
In addition, TAP has a strong track record in providing a range of custom automation solutions for biobanking, biological sample management, compound management and advanced high throughput screening applications.
TAP’s systems and products are installed in the world’s top pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies and leading research institutions such as: Amgen, AstraZeneca, ATCC, Bristol-Myers Squibb, GlaxoSmithKline, Loughborough University, Max Planck Institute, Merck, Novartis, Oxford University, Pfizer, Stem Cell Sciences, UK Biobank and Wyeth.
TAP is a privately-owned company with headquarters near Cambridge, UK and a sales and support facility near Wilmington, Delaware, USA.
About Chip-Man Technologies
Chip-Man Technologies Ltd. was founded in 2002 through collaboration between researchers from Tampere University of Technology and the Finnish Research Organisation, VTT. The founders of Chip-Man Technologies have combined their expertise in cell biology, engineering and machine vision technology to develop and market unique products for live cell imaging and analysis.
Chip-Man Technologies provides researchers with tools that will enable them to study live cell behaviour in an optimised and stable environment and analyse the findings automatically. Their products include the innovative Cell-IQ system that is a powerful tool for researchers wishing to study cell lines, primary cell, co-cultures and mono-layer tissue models. The systems are used globally, supporting the research efforts of scientists in areas, such as cell biology, functional genomics, drug discovery, in vitro fertilisation, in vitro toxicology and regenerative medicine. Chip-Man also offers the CellLite multi-label fluorescence module for visualising cells with phase contrast and three different fluorescent coloured labels or dyes in combination, providing even greater information on living cells.
