Cyntellect, Inc., a privately-held life sciences company commercializing products to advance the study of cell biology, stem cell research, biopharmaceutical production, and drug discovery, has entered into an agreement with the Salk Institute for Biological Studies to provide its researchers with the LEAP™ Cell Processing Workstation. The LEAP Workstation is an award-winning, microplate-based cytometry system used for in situ cell analysis, purification, and processing that will give Salk researchers the ability to progress research across a broad spectrum of stem cell projects.
“Stem cell research has the potential to revolutionize how we think of disease treatment. The cutting edge research being undertaken by Salk scientists is the starting point to unlocking the true potential of stem cells, and we are proud to play a small supporting role.”
The LEAP Workstation allows rapid and automated physical passaging of stem cells and consistent embryoid body generation, in addition to its unique in situ cell and colony purification capabilities. LEAP combines high-speed whole well plate imaging and ultra fast laser manipulation for selective and efficient processing of cells right where they grow. This non-disruptive in situ approach allows various adherent and non-adherent cell types, including stem cells, to be consistently processed in a closed sterile microplate environment with very high yield and purity as compared to conventional techniques. Salk researchers will initially utilize LEAP for non-destructive counting and characterization of embryoid bodies, passaging of stem cell colonies and removal of unwanted spontaneously differentiating areas, and derivation of new induced pluripotent stem cell lines.
According to Dr. Travis Berggren, Director of the Salk Institute for Biological Studies' Stem Cell Core Facility, "We are thrilled to have access to the LEAP Workstation to support our research. The Salk Stem Cell Core Facility is dedicated to research involving human pluripotent stem cells. The versatility of these stem cells holds great potential for creating new models to study human diseases and determining their underlying molecular mechanisms to allow the development of new therapies. The unique capabilities of the LEAP technology will enable us to work with these delicate cells in powerful new ways."
"We are excited by our relationship with the Salk Institute for Biological Studies and expect LEAP to fuel new and innovative stem cell research," said Dr. Fred Koller, Cyntellect's Chief Technology Officer. "Stem cell research has the potential to revolutionize how we think of disease treatment. The cutting edge research being undertaken by Salk scientists is the starting point to unlocking the true potential of stem cells, and we are proud to play a small supporting role."
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