ISSAQUAH, WASH. - Dec. 13, 1999 - A Scottish biochemistry lab at the University of Dundee, headed by Dr. Jason Swedlow, an internationally recognized expert in live-cell research, uses an innovative restoration microscopy system from Applied Precision Inc. to speed its research. With Applied Precision's DeltaVision® System, scientists at Swedlow's lab are able to image live cells and study cell division with more efficiency, accuracy, detail and clarity than ever before.

"As cell biologists, our capacity for obtaining and analyzing important data tends to be limited by the number of things we can physically do in a day," said Swedlow, a Wellcome Trust Research Career Development award winner. "Applied Precision's automated imaging and analysis capabilities are indispensable when, in a single experiment, we can image 10 cells instead of one, giving our lab a dramatic increase in efficiency."

Applied Precision's DeltaVision Restoration Microscope System has the highest resolution. It features routine live-cell fluorescence imaging, expanded intensity quantification, the largest dynamic range in its class, and maximum flexibility in fluorescent probe selection. For the Dundee lab, DeltaVision records the distribution of cellular components in living cells at the limits of resolution, and also produces quantitative measurements.

The DeltaVision Restoration Microscope System is based on "precisionware" - Applied Precision's patented blend of electronics, mechanics and software. Applied Precision's unique engineering expertise has generated a product that defines the niche for high-end quantitative biological imaging.

"No other company in the commercial microscope business makes components and systems of the same high quality that Applied Precision does," Swedlow said. "They have defined the niche for high-end, quantitative imaging."

Research at Dundee is part of a larger global effort involving thousands of cell biologists focused on understanding cell division. Studying this process, including identifying proteins and enzymes involved in cell division, and understanding how mistakes happen in cell division, is crucial to understanding cancer.

"We recognize the significance of the research being conducted at the University of Dundee biochemistry lab, and we're very excited to enable such advanced study in cell division," said Rich Fisler, Applied Precision's biotechnology product line manager. "It is very important to us that Jason Swedlow and his fellow researchers can count on our products to speed research while offering the highest quality with quantification."

About DeltaVision Restoration Microscope System

The DeltaVision Restoration Microscope System fully integrates a highly optimized fluorescence microscope, high precision XYZ stage and control, custom optical filters with complete light path management, multi-site functionality, 3D image processing, interaction, and display. The DeltaVision offers the highest resolution available and consistently resolves structures smaller than 175 nanometers (e.g., centriole, microtubule decoration, single nuclear pore).

About Applied Precision

Applied Precision leads the high-tech industry in the development and manufacture of "precisionware". Precisionware represents the unique convergence of software, electronics and mechanics into specialized product solutions for biotechnology research, semiconductor metrology test, photonics, digital flow control and micropositioning.

Applied Precision was founded in 1986 by engineers from three disciplines - mechanics (John Stewart), electronics (Ron Seubert) and physics (Don Snow). API's three founders continue to play active roles in the company. The company now employs over 100 engineers, technicians, managers, and sales and marketing professionals at its Seattle-area headquarters and its European sales and service center. Applied Precision's biotechnology product line is also available at SciQuest.com.

Applied Precision is a four-time winner of a Deloitte & Touche Washington State High-Tech "Fast 50" award. For additional information on the company and its products, contact Applied Precision at 425-557-1000.