Munich, Germany - April 11, 2000 - With Applied Precision Inc.'s Fast Imaging (FI) upgrade for its DeltaVision® Restoration Microscopy System, life scientists are able to conduct three-dimensional time-lapse studies at up to 16.9 frames per second (fps). DeltaVision FI also offers temporal resolution up to five times that of high-resolution restoration microscopes currently available, increasing scientists' capacity to study dynamic, molecular-level processes.

The DeltaVision FI upgrade provides real-time imaging capabilities to study dynamic processes within the cell, including, for example, protein transport within the nucleus. This real-time imaging feature, combined with the existing point-visiting feature of the DeltaVision microscopy system, enables researchers to study a multitude of cells simultaneously. The DeltaVision FI upgrade runs unattended up to eight hours.

The University of Dundee in Scotland is using the DeltaVision FI upgrade in its department of biochemistry to research proteins related to colon cancer, immune responses, DNA assembly and nucleus formation.

"Many of our life-science research customers have asked for the DeltaVision FI upgrade," said Rich Fisler, product line manager, Applied Precision's biotechnology solutions. "This new option provides high image-acquisition speed while maintaining the quantitative integrity expected from our DeltaVision microscopy system." "The upgrade is, in a word, fast," said Dr. Jason Swedlow, principal investigator of the University of Dundee's department of biochemistry and Wellcome Trust Research Career Development Awardee. "A critical issue in biology is watching things move. Now that we can acquire 3-D images so quickly, we're able to study an awful lot of biology we couldn't before."

DeltaVision FI is available to current DeltaVision microscopy system customers as an upgrade and does not require the purchase of a second microscopy system. The upgrade is available to new customers as a system option.

About DeltaVision

The DeltaVision Restoration Microscopy System integrates a highly optimized fluorescence microscope, high precision XYZ stage and control, custom optical filters, complete light path control, time-lapse functionality, and image processing, interaction and display. DeltaVision provides fast, simple handling of live-cell, multi-dimensional, multiple-wavelength specimen data at the highest possible resolutions, offering new flexibility for scientists who need the precision of nano-step technology for imaging of a variety of specimens, as well as those who must validate their data with a variety of imaging techniques.

About Applied Precision, Inc.

Applied Precision (www.api.com), develops measurement, analysis and process-control systems for semiconductor test, assembly and packaging, as well as for biomedical and biotechnology imaging and analysis (especially cell microscopy, genomics and proteomics). Applied Precision's specialized systems are based on precisionware, the company's unique convergence of mechanics, electronics, optics and software, enabling advancements in the world's core technologies. Applied Precision can be reached in the United Kingdom at +44 1672 518350 or in the United States at (425) 557-1000.