ANN ARBOR -- Essen BioScience Inc., a provider of life science research tools and services, announced the first shipments of its new live cell imaging system, IncuCyte Zoom, an expanded line of labeling reagents as well as a new kinetic neuronal imaging assay.

The IncuCyte Zoom is the second generation live-cell imaging platform offered by Essen.  A unique aspect of the IncuCyte technology is that the system acquires images automatically from within the user's cell culture incubator, collecting biological image data around-the-clock on multiple vessels without removing the cells from their preferred physiological environment.

The IncuCyte is also equipped with integrated software providing real-time analysis of the biological processes under observation.

New features on the Zoom include multi-fluorescent colors, support of a broader range of magnifications, enhanced phase contrast processing tools and more speed.  The CellPlayer reagents include targeted fluorescent probes and fully validated GFP/RFP nuclear labeled stable cell lines. These reagents are non-perturbing to cell health and superior to traditional organic dye labels for long term imaging assays.

Together, the IncuCyte Zoom and suite of CellPlayer reagents and assays provide a fully integrated system for quantitative, kinetic biology; an approach Essen calls Live Content Imaging.

"We are very excited about the release of the new products," says Kirk Schroeder, president of Essen BioScience. "Drug discovery research is continuing to move to more advanced, mixed culture assay models in order to better predict in vivo biology.  These offerings make it easy to monitor multiple cell types with non-perturbing labels and a true kinetic read-out. Consistent with the live content approach, our NeuroTrack assay provides a unique solution for following neurite dynamics in real time."

To learn more about IncuCyte Zoom and associated applications please visit www.essenbioscience.com.