SAW
Instruments, a developer of innovative biosensor technology for life sciences
research, and ACOBIO K.K., have signed an exclusive agreement to allow ACOBIO
K.K. to distribute SAW's innovative
sam® range of
acoustic biosensors in Japan. The news ties in with the Japanese launch of
the newest member of the series, the
high-end sam®X,
at the 34th Annual Meeting of the Molecular
Biology Society of Japan. sam
® systems provide
a step-change in biosensor technology and applications, offering new
capabilities for studying real-time kinetics on the surface of live mammalian
cells. The new sam
®X expands the flexibility, power and throughput available
via an increase in the number of analysis channels and new adaptable
microfluidic routing. ACOBIO K.K., which is owned by the Altair Corporation, was
established in December 2011 to distribute innovative life science products in Japan.
Mr Eiji Takagi, former President of Biacore K.K. and new
President of ACOBIO K.K., said: "Using our extensive experience in the pharmaceutical
and biotechnology industries, ACOBIO's mission is to make innovative life
science technology and products from across the globe available for use by academia
and industry in Japan. We are particularly pleased to have signed this
agreement with SAW Instruments, as the company's novel range of sam
®
biosensors open up new avenues for studying molecular interactions on the
surface of mammalian cells." Unlike other cell-based detection platforms, sam
®
acoustic biosensors do not require any fluorescent labelling, are
real-time rather than steady-state, and can use unfixed cells adhered to the
sensor surface or in suspension, all while providing rapid analysis in the
order of only a few minutes.
Dr Markus Perpeet, Managing Director of SAW
Instruments, commented: "We are very pleased that our innovative sam
®
systems, which have already proven highly popular with researchers in Europe
and the US, will now be available in Japan, and encourage Japanese researchers to
see our new sam
®X biosensor in action by visiting the ACOBIO K.K.
booth at the Molecular Biology Society of Japan meeting." The new system offers
increased throughput with two sensor chips, rather than the single chip of the
sam
®5 models, subsequently increasing the number of available channels
to eight. Using sophisticated fluidics, each channel can now be utilised
independently (8 x 1) or via sequential combinations of 4 x 2, 2 x 4, or 1 x 8
channels, optimising user workflow and facilitating flexible assay design. Like
the other members of the sam
® family, the sam
®X is ideal
for measuring binding constants and kinetics at the surface of whole mammalian
cells, as it generates highly accurate results significantly faster than
similar equilibrium-based methods.
For more information on the sam
®X and the sam
®
family of biosensors, visit
www.saw-instruments.com.