Detroit, MI
and Cambridge, MA, April 12, 2005 – – Asterand, the
Detroit-based supplier of human tissue analysis services and
CompuCyte Corporation, the Massachusetts-based manufacturer of
laser scanning cytometers, today announced an agreement that
allows Asterand to include quantitative cytometric analysis of
tissues and tissue microarrays as a part of its current research
molecular pathology services.
The offering is a natural extension of Asterand’s molecular
pathology contract research service, which specializes in
immunohistochemistry and RNA in situ hybridization
studies using human tissue samples assembled into tissue
microarrays selected from its global biorepository of
clinically obtained specimens. Pharmaceutical and biotech
companies contract with the company for validation of antibody
therapeutics through tissue cross-reactivity screening,
protein target localization studies, and cell-specific gene
expression studies using results and analysis of microarray
data. The availability of quantitative cytometric sample
analysis, in addition to classic pathology assessment,
provides the added benefit of complete objectivity and
increased analytic throughput.
CompuCyte’s iGeneration Imaging
Cytometers allow simultaneous quantitative analysis of
fluorescently and chromatically stained tissue sections.
Exclusive image processing techniques correct for background
fluorescence and spectral overlap of both fluorescent dyes and
chromophores, and the resulting high-resolution images
are archived for assay validation. The technology permits
visualization and quantification of cellular processes that may
not be observable through microscopy alone.
“We have many customers who are looking to quantify differences
in protein or RNA expression between diseased and normal
tissues,” said Dr. Victoria Blanc, Director of Research Services
at Asterand. “What is unique about the CompuCyte system is that
it allows simultaneous quantitative analysis of both
fluorescence and chromagenic labels. The addition of this
service will assist our customers in their data analysis and
interpretation of results, thereby increasing their
satisfaction,” she added.
“We are very pleased to have reached this agreement with
Asterand,” said Dr. Elena Holden, President and CEO of
CompuCyte. “CompuCyte’s systems are
being actively utilized in cancer research and drug development.
Our customers are already applying
this technology in pre-clinical drug
safety studies performed in animal models, as well as in Phase
II-III clinical trials where drug effectiveness and safety are
tested on biopsy tissue samples. This initiative will
expand CompuCyte’s ability to offer objective quantitative
analysis services of tissue microarray samples to the
pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries on a contractual
basis.”
The results of collaborative studies
performed by Asterand and CompuCyte will be presented at the
upcoming American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting
in Anaheim from April 16 to 20, 2005.
About Asterand:
Asterand is the leading provider of human tissue for genomic and
proteomic research. The company acquires donated samples from a
worldwide network of collaborating hospitals and clinics. These
samples, together with associated data and pathology reports,
are made available to commercial drug discovery companies as
well as researchers at academic institutions.
Asterand supplies tissues in a variety of formats including
fresh, frozen and fixed as well as derivative products such as
tissue microarrays, RNA and DNA. The company also carries out a
wide range of applied research projects on behalf of clients.
About CompuCyte:
CompuCyte offers advanced laser scanning cytometers for life
science research, drug safety and toxicology studies. iCyte®
and iCys™ Imaging Cytometers and iColor™ Fluoro-chromatic
Cytometer enable quantitative cytometric image analysis of
cellular and tissue specimens on microscope slides, microtiter
plates, chamber slides, or other formats. Additionally,
CompuCyte provides contract research and application development
services.
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