Said to be the only commercially available instrument to add real-time, simultaneous topography and recognition imaging capability to the atomic force microscope
Molecular Imaging is an R and D 100 Awards winner for its new Picotrec.
The awards are sponsored by R and D Magazine and recognise the top 100 products introduced into the marketplace during the year.
Picotrec is said to be the only commercially available instrument to add real-time, simultaneous topography and recognition imaging capability to the atomic force microscope (AFM).
Said by Molecular Imaging to be a breakthrough tool for AFM, Picotrec allows researchers to pursue new avenues of discovery in all areas of nanotechnology and nanoscience. "We are honoured to be the recipient of the R and D 100 Awards and to be ranked among the world's top technology innovators," said Vance Nau, president and CEO.
"This award is an acknowledgement of Molecular Imaging's commitment to creating innovative new products and techniques for our customers that will enable new application areas for AFM in academic and industrial research".
Picotrec, used together with Molecular Imaging's Picoplus SPM (scanning probe microscope) and Mac Mode (magnetic AC mode), represents a new product category for AFM.
Picotrec improves the speed, sensitivity, and accuracy of recognition and adhesion studies at the molecular level.
Therefore, it can be used to greatly accelerate existing research and to perform experiments that were not possible before.
It is a label-less detection methodology so sensitive samples are not changed by the introduction of radioactive, fluorescent, and other markers.
Furthermore, single molecule sensitivity is not only possible, with Picotrec it is routine says the company.
Picotrec creates new possibilities for using AFM in life science, materials science, electrochemistry and other fields.
For example, Picotrec offers researchers in cell biology, nanobiotechnology and pharmacology the ability to explore dynamic properties of molecular binding events.
It enables studies on a host of ligand-receptor interactions including membranes, cells, antibody-antigen, drug-receptor, DNA-protein, DNA-DNA, and smart materials.
In addition, for scientists studying the characteristics of data storage media including CDs, DVDs and hard drives, or sensors, polymers and other materials, Picotrec provides a better understanding of the molecular level structures and interactions that influence their behaviours.
