Department of parasitology/biomolecular mass spectrometry unit at the center for infectious diseases in the Leiden University Medical School has invested in Denator's tissue stabilisation technology
Professor Andre Deelder, head of department, explained the reasoning behind the decision: "In common with many researchers, particularly those in the proteomics field, we are concerned that protein degradation upstream can interfere significantly with downstream results.
"Degradation effects may occur very rapidly after sampling and, with conventionally treated snap-frozen samples, the risk of further degradation returns when samples need to be thawed.
"Preliminary results indicate that Denator's rapid heat inactivation technology stabilises tissues instantly and this stability is maintained during downstream analyses.
"We are very optimistic that this new approach will bring us closer to the original biological state of the samples, facilitating data interpretation and opening the way to discover novel proteins and peptides that would previously have been lost".
Olof Skold, CEO at Denator, stated: "We are extremely pleased that Professor Deelder's laboratory has taken this decision.
"We have recently set up several research collaborations to test our novel technology platform and obtain valuable user feedback during the critical product development stage.
"So far, results are very positive and we are confident that we are on the path to successful commercialisation of Denator technology".
Denator's first commercial system for instant tissue stabilisation will be launched at the Hupo meeting in Amsterdam in August, 2008.
