HCS System meets demands of biological science research.

Press Release Summary:



Available in two versions, Columbus(TM) HCS data management system can be used to archive and manage images from confocal and standard research microscopes, and can act as central repository for all image data. Columbus Gallery provides comprehensive data archive, management and visualization solution, while Columbus Conductor also includes ability to analyze or re-analyze HCS data from Opera imaging reader or other image data using Acapella(TM) image analysis software.



Original Press Release:



PerkinElmer Unveils Columbus Data Management System for High Content Screening



New high-volume storage solution for images positioned to become a standard in the industry, featuring high scalability, interoperability and accessibility

KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa., Oct 23, 2008 - PerkinElmer Life and Analytical Sciences, a global leader in life science research, drug discovery and cellular science, today unveiled the Columbus(TM) high content screening (HCS) data management system, a platform for archiving, managing, retrieving and protecting images and analyzed results, at the SBS Symposium on Cell-based Assays.

High content screening is a vital tool for biological research in many areas, especially for drug discovery and development. The technique does, however, produce very large volumes of image data and associated numerical results, which can be difficult to manage successfully.

The Columbus software is a flexible, convenient solution for high-volume image storage and management. Designed as a partner product for the Opera(TM), PerkinElmer's premier confocal microplate imaging reader, the system has the added benefit of full compatibility with a wide range of image file formats. The Columbus software can be easily used to archive and manage images from confocal and standard research microscopes, and act as a convenient central repository for all image data.

The Columbus data management platform utilizes an open protocol, run on the OMERO server developed by the Open Microscopy Environment (OME), a multi-site collaborative effort among academic laboratories and a number of commercial entities that produces open tools to support data management for biological light microscopy. By using an open protocol, the Columbus software is interoperable with a wide variety of instruments and software, with support being added for more products on a frequent basis.

"Columbus is ideally placed to become an industry standard for image data management," said Richard M. Eglen, Ph.D., president, Bio-discovery, PerkinElmer. "The system was created to overcome the specific, common problems faced by researchers in accessing and managing high volumes of image data critical to their workflows. Designed for maximum interoperability across a wide variety of formats, as well as open interfacing with a large number of tools and applications, Columbus is a highly scalable solution that can serve an individual laboratory to an entire research-driven enterprise."

The Columbus data management software is available in two versions; Columbus Gallery, which provides a comprehensive data archive, management and visualization solution, and Columbus Conductor, that includes all the functionality of Columbus Gallery, plus the ability to analyze or re-analyze HCS data from the Opera imaging reader or other image data using Acapella (TM) image analysis software. The Acapella software runs on the server computer, for greater processing power and multithreading technology to run batch processes and obtain quicker results.

PerkinElmer's Bio-discovery business unit is part of the PerkinElmer Life & Analytical Sciences division and provides the most comprehensive offering of enabling technologies and services including biochemistry, detection systems, cell imaging, and
liquid handling to accelerate life sciences research, from drug discovery to academic research.

PerkinElmer, Inc. is a global technology leader driving growth and innovation in Health Sciences and Photonics markets to improve the quality of life. The Company reported revenues of $1.8 billion in 2007, has approximately 9,100 employees serving
customers in more than 150 countries, and is a component of the S&P 500 Index.

Additional information is available through www.perkinelmer.com or 1-877-PKI-NYSE.

PerkinElmer, Inc.
Mario Fante,
781-663-5602
mario.fante@perkinelmer.com

SOURCE: PerkinElmer

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