The ArrayPlex is a turnkey application that includes automated instrumentation, software and protocols on the Biomek FX liquid handling workstation
Beckman Coulter and Affymetrix announce that Affymetrix has awarded Premier Application Status to Beckman Coulter's ArrayPlex for automated target RNA preparation.
Beckman Coulter will market and support the ArrayPlex automated solution to the Affymetrix customer base.
To achieve Premier Application status, Beckman Coulter has demonstrated that it meets Affymetrix's high quality standards.
The ArrayPlex is a turnkey application that includes automated instrumentation, software and protocols on the Biomek FX liquid handling workstation.
The Biomek FX, the flagship in Beckman Coulter's liquid handling line, gives researchers the flexibility to automate virtually any research application, including genetic analysis sample preparation.
"Affymetrix is the leading provider of arrays for gene expression analysis.
"We're pleased to provide its customers with this validated solution from the growing offering of applications available on our Biomek liquid handling platforms," commented John Gerace, director of automated solutions for Beckman Coulter.
"Affymetrix is engaged with industry leaders, such as Beckman Coulter, to provide researchers with flexible solutions for automated target RNA preparation," said Chip Leveille, vice president of product technologies group at Affymetrix.
"The ArrayPlex application will work with our GeneChip technology to help scientists accelerate research, publication and get new tests and therapies to market quicker".
Beckman Coulter and Affymetrix have been working together since 2002, when the two companies announced a joint venture agreement to form Array Automation,an Affymetrix affiliate.
Affymetrix scientists invented the world's first microarray in 1989 and began selling the first commercial microarray in 1994.
Since then, Affymetrix GeneChip technology has become the industry standard in molecular biology research.
Affymetrix technology is used by the world's top pharmaceutical, diagnostic and biotechnology companies as well as leading academic, government and not-for-profit research institutes.
More than 1200 systems have been shipped around the world and more than 3000 peer-reviewed papers have been published using the technology.
Affymetrix's patented photolithographic manufacturing process provides the most information capacity available today on an array, enabling researchers to use a whole-genome approach to analyse the relationship between genetics and health.
Headquartered in Santa Clara, California, Affymetrix has subsidiaries in Europe and Asia in addition to manufacturing facilities in Sacramento, California and Bedford, Massachusetts.
The company has about 900 employees worldwide.
Beckman Coulter is a leading manufacturer of biomedical testing instrument systems, tests and supplies that simplify and automate laboratory processes.
Spanning the biomedical testing continuum from pioneering medical research and clinical trials to laboratory diagnostics and point-of-care testing, Beckman Coulter's 200,000 installed systems provide essential biomedical information to enhance healthcare around the world.
The company, based in Fullerton, California, reported 2004 annual sales of $2.4 billion with 64% of this amount generated by recurring revenue from supplies, test kits and services.
