Connecticut quality improvement award

PerkinElmer reports that it has been selected as a Gold-Level 2002 Innovation Award winner by the Connecticut Quality Improvement Award Partnership.

The award recognises PerkinElmer Life Sciences's HydroGel coated slides, which are used by researchers in protein microarray applications.

In announcing PerkinElmer's Gold-Level award, the CQIA application noted that the HydroGel coated slide is "one of only two blank biochips designed for protein microarrays, and is the premier product for developing fluorescent protein microarray assays." Application requirements for the CQIA's Innovation Award included: description of organisational problems solved or opportunities leveraged by the innovation; description of the new product, service or process innovation implemented within the last five years, and reasons why the applicant considers it innovative; and documented proof of how the innovation benefited the applicant's organisation.

"We are delighted that PerkinElmer, known for its reputation in delivering high-quality products, was able to submit such a strong application for its HydroGel coated slides, and is well deserving of this award and recognition," said Sheila Carmine, CQIA founder and executive director.

PerkinElmer will be presented a plaque in recognition of its achievement at the CQIA Partnership's 15th Annual Conference on Quality and Innovation, scheduled for 17 October.

HydroGel is a protein-friendly hydrophilic polymer that is coated onto a standard glass microscope slide.

The HydroGel coated slide is used as the substrate to manufacture protein microarrays for investigating the presence of and relationship between proteins in healthy and diseased individuals.

The product provides lower background, improved sensitivity, and improved specificity over other substrates on the market, allowing researchers to more effectively identify the prevalence and interactions between less abundant proteins in a variety of assays.