SelectScience
Join Free
NewsLife Sciences

Leica Microsystems and Definiens Announce Co-Marketing in the Area of Drug Discovery Research

Leica Microsystems USA
14 Apr 2011
bridget bridget
Laboratory Director

Product news

Leica Microsystems, a leading global designer and producer of precision optical systems, and Definiens, the leading Health Image Intelligence™ company, today announced a co-marketing agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, Definiens and Leica will cooperatively market their complementary products and host joint workshops and educational events. Customers will benefit from streamlined high-content image analysis, allowing them to better identify and understand pathways and mechanisms.

Flexibility – for imaging and analysis without limits

This partnership will cover a range of Leica microscopy hardware and Definiens XD software, which will be seamlessly integrated to optimize imaging and analysis workflows.

Leica Microsystems’ confocal instrumentation produces the data bases necessary to turn images into knowledge. Precision and sensitivity pair up uniquely at highest resolution of up to 64 megapixels, producing a wealth of information. The company recently released its first High Content Screening Automation package for confocal research microscopes, Leica HCS A, a highly flexible tool for automated imaging in multiple dimensions. The package enables fast and efficient multi-position experiments – from automated image recording routines to complex multi-dimensional high-content screening experiments with simultaneous image export for immediate analysis by external analysis software, such as Definiens Developer XD.

Definiens Developer XD is an integrated software development environment designed for the entire range of biomedical image analysis problems. It works with any imaging modality as well as 2D, 3D and time-lapse applications and reliably analyzes the wealth of data generated by Leica’s confocal microscopes. Definiens Developer XD enables the automated analysis of cases that previously required tedious manual segmentation.

“Definiens and Leica Microsystems share a commitment to developing powerful imaging solutions that help researchers understand biological pathways faster and more accurately,” said Thomas P. Heydler, CEO of Definiens. “This partnership will provide Leica customers with access to Definiens’ advanced image analysis software, enabling high-content screening that directly aids drug discovery efforts around the world.”

Any device format is supported – any amount of data can be processed

With the combination of Leica Microsystems TCS SP5 confocal imaging instrumentation, single and multiple projects are easy to handle – from single images that need to be evaluated at high standardization to 3D image stacks and 4D time series. Even smallest series of throughput are possible in manual process steps. The results are exported and analyzed by Definiens Developer XD within a highly automated workflow to fulfill today’s demand for throughput in advanced life science research.

“Together with Definiens, we look forward to the opportunity to make highly developed and future-proof high content screening solutions widely available for academic research as well. The combination of high-sensitivity confocal technology, miniaturized sample handling and reproducible evaluation with optimized data management is a sine qua non among drug discovery strategies and the analysis of their physiological relevance,” says Dr. Stefan Traeger, Managing Director of the Life Science Division of Leica Microsystems.

From single files to terabytes of data – Leica Microsystems and Definiens offer a fast, reliable and adaptive high-throughput solution to modern life science research creating a new approach to multidimensional image analysis in high content screening.

Links

Leica Microsystems USACompany website

Tags

Cell / Tissue CultureCell culture or tissue culture is used to study the biology of cells or tissues and to isolate cellular products in an environment which can be manipulated and well defined. Accurately control your culture environment with bioreactors or culture incubators, bind your cells to a surface or together with an extracellular matrix. Distinguish cell types with differential media or proliferate cells with certain characteristics using selective media. Enrich your media with supplements such as growth factors, sera and vitamins. Find the best cell and tissue culture products, kits and equipment in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Genome AnalysisGenomics, the study of genomes, includes functional genomics, evolutionary genomics and comparative genomics. There are many genomic technologies such as DNA sequencing of whole genomes, computational biology and bioinformatics. DNA and nucleic acids must be isolated and concentrated from cells for analysis with kits, automated analyzers and software. Other useful technologies for studying genomics include PCR, microarrays and electrophoresis.ProteomicsProteomics is the systemic bioinformatics study of proteins and amino acids, including their structure, size, function and identification. Tools used in proteomics include chromatography, blotting and gels, protein arrays, mass spectrometry and ELISA and associated analysis software. Analyzers and proteomic systems should be sensitive, high resolution, fast and may be automated for high-throughput.High-Throughput ScreeningHigh-throughput screening (HTS) is an automated drug discovery technique for identification of active compounds against a compound library. Use HTS readers and integrated assay preparation / analysis workstations to screen your compounds. Identify active compounds against various HTS libraries, including membranes, proteins and peptides and HTS cell lines. Find the best high-throughput screening products in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Cell Lines Stem Cells and Primary CellsPrimary cell cultures, established cell lines and stem cells are vital for <i>in vitro</i> and <i>ex vivo</i> experimentation. High-quality cells, optimized for your applications, alongside optimized cell substrates, growth medium and supplements, are critical for experimental success. Explore a range of cells suitable for your applications, including isogenic cell lines, competent cells, induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cell lines, fungal/bacterial/mammalian cell lines, stem cells and cancer cell lines. Find the best cells for your research in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Gel Doc / Image AnalysisGel documentation (gel doc) or gel imaging systems are used for the analysis of proteins, antibodies and nucleic acid immobilized in polyacrylamide or agarose gels, membranes or microarrays. Explore a range of a gel imaging systems, densitometers, scanners, transilluminators or UV lamp + CCD cameras for your image analysis solutions. Colorimetric, fluorescent and/or radioisotopic samples can be visualized and documented for further analysis. See gel doc / Image analysis software for quantitative 1D and 2D analysis of your samples. Find the best gel doc / image analysis products in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Assay AssemblyAssay Assembly is technique used in drug discovery to develop assays to test the cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, or other activities of a compound on a cell. Assay assembly requires chip assembly, a delivery system and a detection and analysis method. Beneficial features of assay kits or automated systems include high-throughput, high speed and sensitivity and low signal to noise ratio.Cell-Based AssaysCell-based assays are used to monitor the presence, quantity and activities of a desired cellular analyte including drug molecules or biomarkers. This can reveal information on cell health (apoptosis, cytotoxicity, viability and proliferation assays), cell metabolism, cell migration and cell signaling mechanisms. Find the best cell-based assay products, kits and equipment with our peer reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receiving pricing direct from manufacturers.High-Content ScreeningHigh-content screening (HCS), also known as high-content analysis (HCA), is a high-throughput technique used in drug discovery to identify substances that alter the phenotype of cells. HCS uses fluorescent microscopic imaging and automated image analysis to investigate cellular events such as apoptosis, cell viability, GPCR activation, oxide production, neurite outgrowth, and cell signaling. Find the best fluorescent labeling reagents, cellular assays, and high-content imaging systems in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Protein PurificationProtein purification is a vital step in drug discovery, therapeutics, biotech and life science research. The purification process typically involves subcellular or membrane protein extraction with cell lysis kits, separation of proteins from cell debris by filtration or spin columns, and the isolation of proteins of interest from other proteins and impurities with affinity purification (including fusion protein tags and antibody binding proteins A, G and L), immunoprecipitation or chromatographic methods, such as ion exchange, size exclusion and immobilized metal affinity chromatography. All purification methods come in multiple formats for your laboratory needs, including agarose or magnetic beads, resins, columns and filter plates. Find the best protein purification equipment in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.BiomarkersBiomarkers are biological markers which can be measured and evaluated to indicate a biological state. The use of biomarkers in research and diagnosis can indicate a normal or disease state or drug response of cells / tissues. Biomarkers include genetic markers, cell surface markers such as antigens, antibodies or receptors and secreted molecules such as cytokines. An assay system is required for identification of biomarkers. :Biopharmaceutical AdvancesBiopharmaceutical advances follow the development of pharmaceuticals derived from biotechnology, also known as biotechnology medicines. Biopharmaceuticals may be produced from cell lines, plants, or microbial cells. Important considerations of biopharmaceutical use include application, cost, production process and purification.In Vivo Imaging Systems<i>In vivo</i> imaging systems, including pre-clinical imaging systems and medical imaging systems are used to non-invasively visualize and capture images of live animals and plants. Monitor the natural processes or diseases of your subjects using small-animal pre-clinical imaging systems, including single photon positron emission tomography (SPECT), positron emission tomography (PET), computed tomography (micro-CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), X-ray radiography, ultrasound, fluorescence and bioluminescence imagers. Multimodal systems and software solutions are also available for correlative analysis of organ, tissue, cell, or molecular-level processes. Find the best in vivo imaging products in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Light MicroscopyLight microscopes or optical microscopes are used to visualize microscale objects under magnification, including cells, clinical specimens and materials. Lab equipment for light microscopy includes confocal microscopes, fluorescence microscopes, zoom and stereo microscopes. Microscope slides and imaging reagents are available for visualizing samples, as well as various microscope stages and incubators for large or temperature-sensitive samples. Find the best light microscopes in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.

Related articles

Leica Microsystems and Definiens Announce Co-Marketing in the Area of Drug Discovery Research