Fisher Biosciences unit, Cellomics, introduces Neuronal Profiling Bioapplication

New software provides real-time analysis of nerve cell images.

PITTSBURGH, April 25, 2006 — Cellomics, the world leader in and creator of High Content Screening (HCS) and a unit of Fisher Biosciences, has introduced new image-analysis software for neurobiology that provides real-time measurements for neuronal morphology and neurite outgrowth in vitro..

The fully integrated software, working with Cellomics’ ArrayScan® or KineticScan® HCS Readers automatically extracts all necessary information on visualized neurons and neurites as well as non-neuronal cells. The software is managed through Cellomics’ High Content Information (HCi™) software,

“Cellomics’ Neuronal Profiling BioApplication is unique because it analyzes images on the fly, providing immediate results,” said Ron Lowy, president and chief executive officer of Fisher Biosciences. “It is a valuable time-saving tool for our customers who want to conduct neurobiology studies using HCS.”

Cellomics’ neuronal profiling technology assists in analyzing neurite growth or neuronal differentiation. This new application will serve researchers in biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies developing and testing potential drugs for neurological diseases, toxicity, and spinal cord injuries; academic researchers studying neuronal diseases and processes; and environmental scientists conducting product-safety testing.

With the Neuronal Profiling BioApplication, a researcher can easily retrieve information on cell population, along with many other details, in a fraction of the time used in conventional methods. The new technology eliminates the need to manually count neurites.

“The new Neuronal Profiling BioApplication gives us more parameters for quantifying neuronal outgrowth,” said Michael Bova, principal scientist and team leader at Elan Pharmaceuticals.

Bova and his team are using the Cellomics tool in studying both primary and neuronal cultures and SH-SY5Y cells to discover how compounds alter or modify neuronal outgrowth. “The cell and nuclear segmentation features enable us to quantify neuronal outgrowth with more precision, flexibility and confidence.”

About Cellomics

Cellomics, a business unit within the Fisher Biosciences group, provides complete systems for High Content Screening (HCS) and Analysis to drug discovery and systems biology researchers. The Cellomics platform includes automated imaging instrumentation (ArrayScan® and KineticScan® HCS Readers and the cellWoRx™ High Content Cell Analysis System), BioApplication image analysis software, High Content Informatics (HCi™), and HitKit® HCS Reagent Kits, fully integrated to improve the quality and productivity of cell-based assays. Cellomics’ proprietary platforms are in use at multiple sites within the top 15 pharmaceutical companies as well as leading biotechnology companies and academic centers throughout the world. For more information about Cellomics-brand products and services, please visit www.cellomics.com or call 412-770-2200.

About Fisher Biosciences

Fisher Biosciences, a unit of Fisher Scientific International Inc., manufactures and supplies a wide range of products and services across the general-chemistry and life-sciences arenas. From fine and high-purity chemicals, clinical diagnostics, proprietary protein-research and cell-culture products, and sterile-liquid-handling systems, to innovative RNA-interference technology and high content screening, Fisher Biosciences serves scientific-research, healthcare, drug-discovery, and general industrial customers around the world. For more information please visit www.fisherbiosci.com.

Contact Information

Judy P. Masucci, Ph.D.

Director of Marketing

Cellomics, Inc.

Contact via E-mail