Männedorf, Switzerland, 7 September 2004: - Tecan today announced the introduction of LS Reloaded, a new series of versatile automation-friendly microarray scanners. Based on the reliable LS 200/300/400 systems, the new LS Reloaded series contains many substantial improvements, including a three-fold higher sensitivity. They offer full flexibility supporting both customized formats and microplates. With an unrivalled throughput and automatic gain control, the microarray scanners can use different laser and filter combinations in one scan.

The new series of scanners are able to cover an extended dynamic range of intensities by providing a series of gain settings in batch scan option within the experiment. The unique laser beam angle is adjustable and supports high-sensitivity evanescence resonance scanning of glass wavers. Depending on the customer's needs, the LS Reloaded series is available with 2, 3 or 4 lasers and allows simultaneous 2-color scanning. Linked to Tecan´s Connect generic microplate autoloader, the LS Reloaded laser scanners enable unattended throughput capability of up to 200 microarray slides or 50 microplates.

The laser scanners can be supplied with LaserCheck plate, a unique kit that permits convenient automatic quality control through easy calibration, that is independent of the fluorescence standards used. The automated focus of the instrument is highly reliable and works with any substrate, dimension, transparency or planarity. The system also allows non-confocal and confocal detection with scalable confocality according to planarity or bulkiness of the active substrate surface.

"Tecan provides it's new LS Reloaded laser scanners with an unmatched sensitivity, reliability and flexibility. The introduction of the new series highlights our ability to continuously extend our offerings, options and improved technologies", comments Dr. Achim Wehren, Product Group Manager Biopharma, at Tecan. "Through its improved technology, the LS Reloaded series offers the innovative features for today's demanding applications".  

For additional information, please contact:

Product information:

Cornelia Kegele
Manager Marketing Communications and Branding
Tel.: +41 (0)44 922 81 11
Fax: +41 (0)44 922 82 81
e-mail:cornelia.kegele@tecan.com
Internet:www.tecan.com

Editorial contact:

Dr Marc Egelhofer
Northbank Communications Ltd
Tel: +44 (0)44 260 296505
e-mail: m.egelhofer@northbankcommunications.com