Waters new full spectrum molecular imaging system and its Acquity UltraPerformance LC (UPLC) Technology received awards at the 2015 Pittsburgh Conference on Analytical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy.

The Full Spectrum Molecular Imaging System pinpoints with greater specificity, the distribution of large and small molecules within tissue samples. It is the first system ever to allow scientists to access enhanced matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) and desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) with ion mobility separation (IMS) in a single mass spectrometry platform.

Introduced this week, the company’s full spectrum molecular imaging system won  the  Pittcon Editors' Silver award for the most innovative product at the event.  

Additionally, the ACQUITY UltraPerformance LC Technology was recognized with the SelectScience Reviewers’ Choice Award, for the product with the best customer reviews and ratings on SelectScience, a leading online resource for the global scientific community.

Based on the Waters SYNAPT G2-Si mass spectrometer, the imaging capabilities of the new full spectrum molecular imaging system enable research laboratories to pinpoint with greater specificity the distribution of large and small molecules within tissue samples. Information derived from imaging experiments can greatly benefit cancer, cardiovascular and neuro-degenerative research by measuring the distribution of molecules in cells and tissues. MS imaging also allows researchers to identify different tissue types based on their molecular composition.

“We are honored by the Pittcon editors' recognition,” says Dr. Jeff Mazzeo, Sr. Director, Health Sciences, Waters Division.

"By combining MALDI with DESI and ion mobility on the same instrument, Waters brings molecular imaging to a new level. We are committed to giving cell biologists, biochemists, clinical researchers and analytical scientists the tools they need to obtain a maximum amount of information to advance their research into human health. The new full spectrum molecular imaging system combines and optimises Waters' mass spectrometry technologies to deliver a level of detail and molecular information beyond that of any individual imaging technique,” he adds.

Waters plans to begin shipments of its full spectrum molecular imaging system in the third quarter of 2015. With  revenue of $1.99 billion in 2014, the company is driving scientific discovery and operational excellence for customers worldwide.