Bruker AXS Announces Integrated High Throughput Biological Crystallography Systems for Structural Genomics
Bruker AXS Inc., an operating company of Bruker BioSciences Corporation announced at the 2004 Pittsburgh Conference in Chicago, an expanded set of integrated tools to produce protein crystal structures at an accelerated pace.
The Crystal Farm(TM) imaging system simplifies and automates protein crystallization by integrating incubation at chosen temperatures together with optical imaging of the crystal growth plates at pre-scheduled intervals. This accelerates the process of growing diffraction-quality protein crystals.
Dr. Daniel Frankel, Product Manager for life-science business development, stated: “Automation of the protein crystallization process is an exciting advance in our field. We are pleased with the interest in the Crystal Farm by the pharmaceutical and structural genomics communities in North America. Our recent installation of a Crystal Farm at the University of Zurich is helping this technology gain momentum in Europe as well.”
Crystals harvested from the Crystal Farm are then characterized using a Bruker AXS PROTEUM(TM) X-ray system. For high-throughput applications, this includes the latest high-brilliance MICROSTAR(TM) x-ray source, a highly sensitive and fast readout PROTEUM CCD detector, as well as a BruNo(TM) robotic sample handler. The system is driven by the PROTEUM software suite, which contains new modules for determining crystal quality. The PROTEUM suite provides a simple, robust interface for automated sample screening and data collection.
Dr. Matthew M. Benning, Senior Applications Scientist for protein crystallography, explained: “The BruNo robot provides a highly efficient method for evaluating crystals. It enables fast and reliable sample handling under cryogenic conditions. The PROTEUM automation, bright source and fast detector allow for quick and accurate data acquisition for crystallography.”
A complete system, including Crystal Farm, BruNo and a PROTEUM with MICROSTAR, will be delivered shortly to the structural genomics consortium at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Professor George N. Phillips, Jr., states: “The University of Wisconsin’s Center for Eukaryotic Structural Genomics is pleased to be working directly with Bruker AXS on the further development of high-throughput protein crystallography. Our co-location in Madison and the strengths of both sides of the collaboration make this an endeavor that will yield mutual benefits and produce better current and future applications for protein crystallography.”
Roger Durst, Ph.D., Bruker AXS Chief Technology Officer and Life Science Product Line Manager, notes: “There is increasing interest in high-throughput structural genomics in both basic biosciences and drug discovery. That this is a high national priority is reflected in, for example, the recent announcement and the significant funding of the second phase of the NIH Protein Structure Initiative. Our new integrated crystallography tools fulfill the needs of this rapidly growing market for powerful solutions to make high-throughput structural genomics a working reality.”
ABOUT BRUKER BIOSCIENCES
Bruker BioSciences, headquartered in Billerica, Massachusetts, is the publicly traded parent company of Bruker Daltonics Inc. (www.bdal.com )and Bruker AXS Inc. ([url=”http://www.bruker-axs.com/” target=_blank’>www.bruker-axs.com). Bruker Daltonics is a leading developer and provider of innovative life science tools based on mass spectrometry. Bruker AXS is a leading developer and provider of life science and advanced materials research tools based on X-ray technology. For more information about Bruker BioSciences Corporation, please visit www.bruker-biosciences.com.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT
Any statements contained in this press release that do not describe historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any forward-looking statements contained herein are based on current expectations, but are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. The factors that could cause actual future results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties relating to the companies’ reorganization strategies, integration risks, failure of conditions, technological approaches, product development, market acceptance, cost and pricing of the companies’ products, changes in governmental regulations, capital spending and government funding policies, FDA and other regulatory approvals to the extent applicable, competition, the intellectual property of others, patent protection and litigation. These and other factors are identified and described in more detail in our filings with the SEC, including, without limitation, our respective annual reports on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, our most recent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, our current reports on Form 8-K and the joint proxy statement/prospectus filed in connection with the merger. We disclaim any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
Contact:
Bruker BioSciences Corporation
Michael Willett, 978-663-3660, ext. 1411
<a href="mailto:Michael.Willett@bruker.com]Michael.Willett@bruker.com[/url]
