Syngene - ChemiGenius2 Automates Protein Array Studies To Offer a Rapid Method of Analysing Potential Anti-Cancer Drugs

22nd June 2004: Cambridge, UK: Syngene, a world-leading manufacturer of image analysis solutions, is pleased to announce its ChemiGenius² image analysis system is being used at a major European pharmaceutical company to automate protein array studies of anti-cancer molecules.

Researchers at the company are using the ChemiGenius² to detect and analyse the effects that potential therapeutic compounds have on human chemokines and cytokines in a 96-well protein array format. Following a typical sandwich ELISA, light is generated with a chemiluminescent substrate and imaging the entire plate with a ChemiGenius² captures the light produced at each array spot. The array data is then automatically analysed using powerful GeneTools image analysis software, which comes as standard with a ChemiGenius² to produce rapid results.

The ChemiGenius² is helping to quickly determine which molecules have potential as anti-cancer agents and so far, researchers at the company have found that the human chemokines arrays provide the best results. According to researchers at the pharmaceutical company, the system was chosen because it images an array pattern with good sensitivity and is simple to operate. Its performance for array detection is better than other systems the company evaluated and it is less expensive than a laser-based scanner.

Laura Sullivan, Syngene’s Divisional Manager commented: “We are excited to see the ChemiGenius² being used at a well-respected pharmaceutical company for automating protein array detection in the vital area of cancer treatment. This is a major new application of the ChemiGenius², which it handles with ease, demonstrating the accuracy and flexibility the system offers for proteomics research.”

For Further Information Contact:

Jayne Arthur, Syngene, Beacon House, Nuffield Road, Cambridge, CB4 1TF, UK.

Tel: +44(0) 1223-727123 Fax +44 (0) 1223-727101

Email: jayne.arthur@syngene.com  Web site: www.syngene.com 

Editor Contact:

Dr Sue Pearson, PO Box 170, Hitchin, Hertfordshire SG5 3GD, UK.

Tel/Fax + 44-(0) 1462- 635327 Email: sue6.pearson@ntlworld.com

Note to Editors

About Syngene

Syngene is a world-leading supplier of integrated imaging solutions for analysis and documentation of gel-based information. Syngene’s systems are used by more than 10,000 research organisations and over 50,000 individual scientists world-wide and include many of the world’s top pharmaceutical companies and major research institutes.

Syngene, founded in 1997 is a division of the Synoptics Group based in Cambridge, UK. The Group’s other divisions, Syncroscopy and Synbiosis, specialise in digital imaging solutions for microscopy and microbial applications respectively. Synoptics currently employs 50 people in its UK and subsidiary operation in Frederick, USA. The Group has profitable revenue of almost $10 million and continues to grow rapidly.