Dainippon Screen pitches in on the fight against cancer with the Cell3iMager, from its Life Sciences division. The leading graphic arts supplier has spent two years working to add the cutting-edge 3D cell imager to its already extensive swag of prepress, CTP, software and digital printing solutions.
The Cell3iMager (pictured) is the company’s first foray into life sciences, and has been described as an ‘important step’ in the development of cancer-fighting drugs. According to Peter Scott, Australian managing director, he feels that Screen’s background and expertise in graphic arts has provided a solid grounding for this important work.
“It’s very gratifying to know the company has moved into Life Sciences with an important tool to be used in researching cures for cancer. I am sure that Screen’s experience in precision scanning and image processing for the graphic arts played a role in the development of the Cell3iMager,” said Scott.
The high-speed cell culture scanner was developed over two years by Screen’s Life Sciences division, in collaboration with Dr. Geoffrey Batholomeusz, Univeristy of Texas’ MD Anderson Cancer Centre, and Prof. Tamio Mizukami, Nagahama Institute of Bio-Science. The scanner measures and analyses multiplication and morphological changes in cancer cells grown on 3D cell culture plates, without using a reagent.
Current testing methods used in cancer research mostly follow conventional methods, growing the cells and adding pigments and reagents and observing changes. The Cell3iMager applies Screen’s proprietary image processing technology, requiring no reagent and allowing researchers to continuously monitor the effects of experimental drugs without destroying the cells.
Scott praises the efforts made to promote activity in these important studies, and emphasises Screen’s continued commitment to the industry.
He says, “Prepress and digital printing are still very important to Screen, and R&D can be shared between our divisions. It’s pleasing to be part of a group active in so many other important areas, such as cancer research.”
The Cel3iMager will be launched to the world at BioJapan, in October.