World’s Most Precise Colony Counter Presented by Synbiosis on Stand 452 at Analytica

6^th April 2004 Cambridge, UK: Synbiosis, a world-leading manufacturer of automated microbiological systems is inviting microbiologists and equipment dealers to Stand 452, Hall A5 to view the new ProtoCOL HR, an automated colony counting and zone measurement system of unrivalled accuracy.

The ProtoCOL HR features a stylish cabinet with a built in PC linked to a high resolution camera and LED lighting above and below the sample holder. The camera and fully integrated image analysis software, allows users to visualise colonies or plaques as small as 0.1mm diameter and also precisely measure zone sizes. In addition, the camera can differentiate up to seven different coloured colony types on chromogenic plates. These exceptional capabilities make ProtoCOL HR the most accurate colony counter and zone sizer currently available.

Synbiosis will also be exhibiting åCOLyte, the innovative automated colony counter for budget conscious microbiology laboratories. Developed as a quick, accurate alternative to manual counting, the system provides full colour image display and storage, as well as instant reporting of results.

The åCOLyte offers the option of Click’n’Count or SuperCount functions. Using

Click‘n’Count, microbiologists point at colonies shown on screen and click on them to count in the same way as a traditional light box counter. However, because the results are instantly transferred to PC and stored in a GLP compliant format, users save time with data input and improve accuracy by eliminating keying errors. For microbiologists looking for increased throughput, the åCOLyte SuperCount is perfect, as at the touch of a button it automatically counts up to 500 colonies in one second.

Simon Johns, Divisional Manager for Synbiosis commented: “We are delighted to exhibit a range of colony counters that will suit any microbiology application. Microbiologists and any interested dealers are welcome to visit Stand 452, where we will be pleased to demonstrate the accuracy and time saving benefits these exciting systems can provide.”

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Note to Editors

About Synbiosis

Synbiosis is a world-leading supplier of integrated imaging solutions for automatic counting and analysis of microbial colonies and zone measurement. The ProtoCOL and åCOLyte systems from Synbiosis are installed in food, pharmaceutical, environmental and research microbiology laboratories world-wide. Synbiosis uses established distribution channels to market its products internationally.

Synbiosis, founded in 1998 is a division of the Synoptics Group based in Cambridge UK. The Group’s other divisions, Syncroscopy and Syngene, specialise in digital imaging solutions for microscopy and molecular biology applications respectively. Synoptics currently employs 55 people in its UK and US subsidiary operation and has profitable revenue of almost $10 million, which continues to grow rapidly.