InQ Biosciences to launch fully integrated Cell Research System

InQ Biosciences, a provider of innovative technologies for cell growth and research, announced its plans to launch the InQ™ Cell Research System during the fourth quarter of 2010. InQ is the first fully integrated system that creates a high fidelity in vivo environment for studying stem cells, plus nerve, brain, and other mammalian cells for disease research.

"The InQ system is the only cell research instrument that combines a dynamic software-controlled sample environment with powerful imaging and real-time data collection," said Aaron Hammons, President and Chief Technology Officer, InQ Biosciences. "Our system's exclusive capability to tightly control environmental parameters with correlated sample feedback will create a new paradigm in cell biology research. Scientists will be empowered with novel and more relevant approaches to discovery as they pursue the causes of cancer and neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases," Hammons said.

The benchtop system automates the cell culture process by enclosing the cells in a sealed, sterile removable cartridge that slides into the instrument. An onboard computer precisely controls the mix and flow of nutritive media and gasses and regulates the temperature. "Users will reap the benefits of extended cell growth and unprecedented experiment reproducibility and standardization. Now researchers can easily simulate hundreds of disease states, including stroke, heart attack, Alzheimer's, and ALS," said Hammons.

A built-in high-resolution microscope and camera record the assay at scheduled intervals, and can send the images to the researcher anywhere in the world via the Internet and smart phone. Adjustments to the experiment can be made remotely, as well.

The InQ System fits easily into research workflows and integrates with most laboratory information management systems. It requires fewer samples to attain study goals, generates more data points for greater accuracy of results, and dramatically reduces the number of failed experiments," Hammons said.