Arcturus has introduced AutoPix Automated Laser Capture Microdissection (LCM) System, the most advanced platform available for the isolation and analysis of pure cell populations from tissue sections and cytology samples. A centerpiece of Arcturus' microgenomics platform, this innovative system sets a new standard for speed, versatility and throughput.

"The AutoPix LCM System was engineered from the ground up with microgenomics in mind, enabling researchers to isolate and analyze pure populations of cells rapidly and reliably, dramatically improving the accuracy of their downstream molecular analyses," states Dr. Thomas M. Baer, CEO of Arcturus. "The AutoPix System represents a major step forward in our mission of applying microgenomics to explore the molecular processes of the cell. This opens new frontiers in the study of cancer, neurological disorders and developmental biology."

The AutoPix System utilizes Arcturus' proven Laser Capture Microdissection (LCM) technology. Using a low-energy IR laser to extend a proprietary plastic adhesive onto selected cells of interest, scientists gently lift cells off tissue sections or cytology samples and retain them for subsequent analysis. This innovative approach eliminates any destructive laser-induced photochemistry in the captured cells, thus ensuring the integrity of nucleic acids and proteins isolated for downstream analysis. The AutoPix LCM System provides pathologists, neuroscientists, cancer researchers and developmental biologist with a powerful new automated platform to prepare samples of pure cells for analysis.

Engineered specifically for microgenomics, the AutoPix System offers the ability to capture cells from up to three samples in a completely enclosed environment that prevents contamination and provides optimal conditions for fluorescence detection. The system uses custom microfluidic devices optimised for the reliable recovery of nucleic acids and proteins from very small numbers of cells. To further maintain consistency and sample integrity, all operations are controlled through an intuitive software interface.

The AutoPix System is ideal for capturing rare cells or discrete cells dispersed in mixed populations. The powerful software includes sophisticated cell and feature recognition routines to facilitate the identification of specific cells for laser capture. Researchers can easily train the system to find particular types of cells, such as cancer cells expressing a specific protein. This unique functionality helps to make the AutoPix System the platform of choice for microgenomics.

The AutoPix LCM System is part of a complete line of integrated instruments and reagents for microgenomic analysis -- the reproducible extraction and analysis of nucleic acids and proteins from laser captured cells. The company's PixCell Laser Capture Microdissection Systems are installed in over 600 laboratories worldwide and the application of its technology has been cited in over 300 independently reviewed and published scientific papers.