Integration of MIRAX Virtual Slide Scanner from Carl Zeiss into Bruker's MALDI Molecular Imager(TM) Enables Non-Targeted Molecular Histology -- Combined Solution to be Introduced at German Pathology Society (DGP) Meeting in June 2009
BREMEN, Germany & JENA, Germany, May 28, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Bruker Daltonik GmbH and Carl Zeiss MicroImaging GmbH today announced
the integration of the MIRAX
Virtual Slide Scanner from Carl Zeiss into Bruker's MALDI
Molecular Imager(TM). The goal of the Bruker-Carl
Zeiss collaboration is to advance molecular histology research by
providing an integrated solution (for research use only) for biological
tissue research and pathology that adds non-targeted molecular
information and 'molecular contrast' to histology.
The MALDI Molecular Imager is a molecular imaging system
based on matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI)
time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry directly from tissue sections. It
allows histology researchers to measure spatially resolved peptide,
protein and lipid profiles in tissue sections. MALDI imaging is a
non-targeted, broadly applicable molecular imaging approach without the
need for any antibody or nucleotide probe. Tissue-type specific
molecular signatures (e.g. from tumors) can be generated and used for
biomarker discovery and molecular histology.
A major bottleneck in the interpretation of MALDI imaging data in
pathology research has been the interpretation of results in a
histological context. Until now, this has required repeated switching
between evaluated MALDI molecular images and microscope views. The
integration of Carl Zeiss' MIRAX Slide Scanner results
into the MALDI Molecular Imager solution allows the direct
overlay of the full microscopic image with the full molecular and
spectral information in one convenient visualization software tool,
enabling true untargeted molecular histology.
Dr. Sören-Oliver Deininger, MALDI Imaging Product Specialist at Bruker
Daltonics, explained: "Bruker has been the market and commercial
technology leader in MALDI imaging for several years. Proprietary
technologies such as the smartbeam(TM) laser for best spectra
quality at highest speed and best spatial resolution, as well as the
Bruker ImagePrep(TM) for easy and reproducible sample
preparation, have turned MALDI imaging into a mainstream research
application. Now, the full integration of the MIRAX
virtual slides allows tissue and pathology researchers for the first
time to evaluate their results directly in the histological context with
the full spatial resolution of optical microscopy and the molecular
information from MALDI imaging.
"This integrated molecular histology solution will significantly
accelerate clinical pathology research, particularly in oncology, where
the untargeted molecular information is expected to reveal additional
subtle changes in tissue that cannot be distinguished by traditional
histology methods today."
"The integration of the MIRAX Virtual Slide Scanner into the MALDI
Molecular Imager solution is a very good example of how the combination
of two innovative technologies can create new benefits for biomedical
research. With two technology leaders working together, we believe that
we have a strong foundation for a novel, breakthrough histology
solution. We look forward to working closely together with Bruker," said
Dr. Richard Ankerhold, business unit manager from Carl Zeiss.
Dr. Axel Walch, a pathologist at the Helmholtz
Centre in Munich, and a user of both the MALDI Molecular Imager
and the MIRAX slide scanner, commented: "The protein
expression observed in MALDI Imaging data cannot be fully understood
without the underlying histological information: the correlation of the
MALDI image with a micrometer-resolution microscopic image is therefore
mandatory for MALDI Imaging in clinical research. The Zeiss Mirax
Scanner has the true advantage of online scalable high lateral
resolution that can zoom in quickly to any tissue sections investigated
by MALDI. Merging both techniques, Bruker MALDI Imaging and MIRAX
virtual microscopy, leads to synergistic effects with outstanding
benefits for clinical research. It truly completes the superior Bruker
product line for imaging comprising of sample preparation, high
performance MALDI mass spectrometry and highly sophisticated software
for data interpretation."
For further product information, please visit www.bdal.com/molecular-histology.
ABOUT BRUKER DALTONICS: For more information about Bruker
Daltonics and Bruker Corporation (NASDAQ: BRKR), please visit www.bdal.com
or www.bruker.com.
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SOURCE: Bruker Daltonics
Bruker Daltonics
Dr. Sören-Oliver Deininger, +49 421 2205 403
sod@bdal.de