Carl Zeiss MicroImaging, University of California in Davis (UC Davis), and Palm Microlaser Technologies collaborate on laser microdissection and pressure catapulting technologies
Carl Zeiss MicroImaging, the Lucy Whittier Molecular and Diagnostic Core Facility at UC Davis, and Palm Microlaser Technologies have agreed to cooperate in research activities using Palm's unique laser microdissection and pressure catapulting technologies (LMPC) in combination with UC Davis's capabilities at the Core Facility.
Carl Zeiss MicroImaging is a provider of upright, inverted, stereo and confocal microscopes, imaging systems, HCS and HTS systems, and is the exclusive distributor for Palm microlaser systems in North America.
The Lucy Whittier Molecular and Diagnostic Core Facility is an independent unit at the School of Veterinary Medicine at UC Davis which was created from a grant by a private foundation to stimulate and enhance molecular research by concentrating infrastructure, PCR assays, optimised protocols and know-how in a core facility.
Services offered include full sample analysis with pre-analysis consulting, sample preparation, TaqMan PCR system generation, and TaqMan PCR analysis as well as training and consulting.
Palm Microlaser Technologies is a supplier of laser microdissection and micromanipulation systems using its proprietary, worldwide patented laser pressure catapulting technology.
For many research activities in molecular biology, in genetic and proteomic research, in oncology, pathology, botany, forensics and in many other areas in biological science, laser microdissection systems are more and more a tool of choice.
The technology of the LMPC allows the isolation and transportation of the targeted material into a collecting device only with the force of light hence eliminating contamination with unwanted adjacent tissue or mechanical contact.
Due to the purity of the captured material all subsequent analyses are possible without the impairment through impurities and contaminations.
Carl Zeiss and Palm will use the set up at UC Davis for information, demonstration and training of the Palm's laser microdissection unit for customers or interested parties.
UC Davis will use Palm's unique technology for the isolation and collection of pure tissue samples to be processed with its analytical systems (eg quantitative real-time TaqMan PCR) with a very high degree of automation for its service applications. Joint development of protocols and application support activities for the broad spectrum of applications benefiting from laser microdissection is another goal of this cooperation.
Palm's research and application laboratory in Germany will also be incorporated into the information exchange.
With the system now installed, UC Davis has the latest Palm MicroBeam laser microdissection unit on site including the brand new automated RoboMover system for high throughput sample collection in a 96-well format.
"We are very pleased to be able to combine the ease and functionality offered by the Palm system with our TaqMan applications.
"We believe that not only the core facility and research groups from the University will benefit from this opportunity at UC Davis but also those from outside using our services" says Christian Leutenegger of the Lucy Whittier Molecular Core Facility.
"We invite everybody to experience the new possibilities in molecular research this new combination at UC Davis offers."
