Date: Sep 01, 2006 Source: (
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Woburn, MA - (Sept 1, 2006) - CRi and Invitrogen today announced they have entered into an agreement to jointly promote the use of instrumentation from CRi and in vivo reagents developed at Invitrogen's Molecular Probes facility based in Eugene, Oregon. These in vivo reagents enable end-users to realize earlier effectiveness from their imaging efforts in small animal modeling for disease state studies such as cancer.
The new solutions combine CRi's small animal in vivo fluorescence imaging system, Maestro(TM), with SAIVI(TM) and Qtracker(TM) reagents from Molecular Probes to allow users to image fewer target cells, deeper in the animal than has been possible previously with homebrew reagents. The Maestro(TM) software allows the user to quantitate the resolution of co-localized markers and map images of localized fluorescently-tagged markers in whole animals while at the same time removing the autofluorescence of the biological sample, which can interfere with assay sensitivity.
"By combining Invitrogen's labeling technologies with our Maestro(TM) system, our customers will be able to identify diseased cell populations early in their development process," said George Abe, CEO of CRi, Inc. "This will allow our customers to reduce the experimental research time necessary to make key therapeutic decisions."
Molecular Probes' SAIVI(TM) Alexa Fluor® near-infrared labeling kits allow consistent achievement of a high degree of control during labeling procedures. The kits provide a convenient means to label small amounts of proteins with bright and photostable Alexa Fluor® 647, 680 or 750 near-infrared emitting dyes.
In addition, Qtracker(TM)cell labeling kits deliver fluorescent Qdot® nanocrystals into the cytoplasm of live cells using a custom targeting peptide. Once inside, an intense, stable fluorescence that does not bleed into adjacent cells can be traced through several generations. The Qtracker(TM) non-targeted quantum dots demonstrate an increase in in vivo circulation time in the vasculature with a reduced toxicity, making them valuable tools for animal imaging studies.
"We have chosen to work with CRi because the company has a proven record of serving the scientific community with high-quality, innovative hardware, software and technical support," said Brett Williams, Segment Director of Imaging and Microscopy at Invitrogen. "CRi's Maestro(TM) platform has earned its reputation as being the most sensitive fluorescence-based small animal imaging system available, and the pairing of our reagents with this system will deliver to our customers' excellent value for their in vivo imaging needs."
About Cambridge Research & Instrumentation, Inc. (CRi) Cambridge Research & Instrumentation, Inc. is an advanced imaging solutions company. CRi develops and manufactures high-performance instruments and systems that employ unique imaging and detection techniques for applications in pharmaceutical drug discovery and life science research. CRi services a global network of distributors and partners through direct sales of systems and strategic alliances as an OEM supplier.
About Invitrogen Corporation Invitrogen Corporation (NASDAQ:IVGN) provides products and services that support academic and government research institutions and pharmaceutical and biotech companies worldwide in their efforts to improve the human condition. The company provides essential life science technologies for disease research, drug discovery, and commercial bioproduction. Invitrogen's own research and development efforts are focused on breakthrough innovation in all major areas of biological discovery including functional genomics, proteomics, bioinformatics and cell biology -- placing Invitrogen's products in nearly every major laboratory in the world. Founded in 1987, Invitrogen is headquartered in Carlsbad, California, and conducts business in more than 70 countries around the world. The company globally employs approximately 4,800 scientists and other professionals and had revenues of approximately $1.2 billion in 2005. For more information, visit www.invitrogen.com.
