CARLSBAD, Calif., Nov. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- [ Life Technologies Corporation ] (NASDAQ: LIFE)today launched the [ FLoid™ Cell Imaging Station ], a revolutionary platform that eliminates the complexity of fluorescence microscopy -- making it accessible to all scientists, regardless of their technical expertise. A high-quality image can be captured in less than five minutes and printed directly from the platform's printer or downloaded and e-mailed to serve as supporting documentation for users' research.

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At one-third the cost of traditional instrumentation, the FLoid™ Cell Imaging Station is a fully integrated bench top instrument designed with an intuitive user interface that enables quick detection and verification of fluorescently labeled cells with just a few clicks of the mouse, all without compromising image quality.

"In a field that has evolved toward developing increasingly more sophisticated, complex and expensive instruments, the FLoid™ Cell Imaging Station is the first system that takes the opposite approach to make fluorescent cell imaging simple and highly efficient without compromising quality," said Peter Dansky, president of Molecular and Cell Biology at Life Technologies. "FLoid does away with the intimidation factor associated with traditional instruments so that scientists can capture and document biological events in their cells at a speed and ease not possible until now."

Traditional fluorescent microscopes have historically been cumbersome to use. The set up time alone for some often takes more than 30 minutes, and the need for experienced technicians to run them often creates scheduling constraints in the lab. Instead of conveniently stationing them on bench tops, each typically must be placed in a darkroom, which takes up space that could be used for other research purposes.

The FLoid™ Cell Imaging Station overcomes all of these barriers. Its inherent simplicity and ease-of use was confirmed after observations from beta testers -- ranging from students and experienced technicians to non-researchers -- who were amazed that they could capture and process a high-quality, multi-color fluorescent image on the system within five minutes of turning it on.

"The software interface is extremely user-friendly. The fact that I could take my cells and have an image within a few minutes, without the complexities of setting all the optical path hardware, was fantastic," said Jordan Yaron, Graduate Research Associate, Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University. "FLoid would benefit a core lab because of its incredible simplicity. Ultimately, core labs with this instrument will become a resource for a much broader demographic of researchers, from very large labs to new assistant professors' labs with limited funds."

Holly Aaron, head of the Molecular Imaging Center at the University of California, Berkeley, said: "At the price point, it makes a nice addition for a tissue culture lab, or a lab that doesn't currently have a regular fluorescent microscope. It could also be a great tool in a learning lab."

The FLoid™ Cell Imaging Station includes protocols and Molecular Probes® reagent selection guides to assist users in preparing their samples prior to imaging, steps that they would normally have to research through other sources. Depending on the specific cellular structure or biological activity users are interested in capturing, the pre-loaded reference tool provides the precise protocol to follow and reagents to use for optimal performance on the instrument. For convenience away from the lab, the information is also available on a mobile app for Apple iOS and Android operating systems.

For research use only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

About Life Technologies ([ www.lifetechnologies.com ])

[ Life Technologies Corporation ] is a global biotechnology company dedicated to improving the human condition. Our systems, consumables and services enable researchers to accelerate scientific and medical advancements that make life even better. Life Technologies customers do their work across the biological spectrum, working to advance the fields of discovery and translational research, molecular medicine, stem cell-based therapies, food safety and animal health, and 21st century forensics. The company manufactures both molecular diagnostic and research use only products. Life Technologies' industry-leading brands are found in nearly every life sciences lab in the world and include innovative instrument systems under the Applied Biosystems and Ion Torrent names, as well as, the broadest range of reagents with its Invitrogen, GIBCO, Ambion, Molecular Probes and TaqMan products. Life Technologies had sales of $3.6 billion in 2010, has a workforce of approximately 11,000 people, has a presence in approximately 160 countries, and possesses one of the largest intellectual property estates in the life sciences industry, with approximately 3,900 patents and exclusive licenses. For more information on how we are making a difference, please visit our website: [ http://www.lifetechnologies.com ].

Life Technologies' Safe Harbor Statement

This press release includes forward-looking statements about our anticipated results that involve risks and uncertainties. Some of the information contained in this press release, including, but not limited to, statements as to industry trends and Life Technologies' plans, objectives, expectations and strategy for its business, contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Any statements that are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. When used, the words "believe," "plan," "intend," "anticipate," "target," "estimate," "expect" and the like, and/or future tense or conditional constructions ("will," "may," "could," "should," etc.), or similar expressions, identify certain of these forward-looking statements. Important factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are detailed in filings made by Life Technologies with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Life Technologies undertakes no obligation to update or revise any such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

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Life Technologies Contact
Mauricio Minotta
760-929-2456
760-805-5266 (mobile)
[ Mauricio.minotta@lifetech.com ]

SOURCE Life Technologies Corporation

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Life Technologies Makes Fluorescence Microscopy Accessible to All Scientists

Life Technologies Makes Fluorescence Microscopy Accessible to All Scientists

A first-of-its-kind, FLoid? Cell Imaging Station enables fast verification of labeled cells through an intuitive user interface at one-third the cost