New Detection Cartridges Extend Applications of Modular PARADIGM™ Platform

Beckman Coulter, Inc. announces four new cartridges for the PARADIGM Detection Platform, the company’s unique user-configurable and upgradeable multimode reader. The new cartridges increase the total number of interchangeable detection choices to 14, extending platform utility and return on investment for PARADIGM customers.

The new options include two additional luminescence detection cartridges optimised for 96- and 384-well plate formats, a new detection cartridge for BRET2* (Bioluminescence Resonance Energy Transfer) live cell assays and a Rhodamine fluorescence cartridge for a selection of cyanine dyes.

Two of the four new detection cartridges expand the PARADIGM’s Glow Luminescence line with offerings specially designed for 96- and 384-well applications. These complement the existing Glow Luminescence Detection Cartridge optimised for the 1536-well plate format. The unique well-isolating design of each cartridge is optimised for a specific plate format to provide increased sensitivity with reduced cross talk. The new Dual Luminescence Detection Cartridge is optimised for use with BRET2 live cell assays and includes predefined protocols and data analysis tools. This cartridge is ideal for the study of protein-protein interactions.

The new Fluorescence Intensity Detection Cartridge delivers speed and high sensitivity in applications using Cy3 and equivalent Rhodamine fluorescent labels. This new cartridge expands Beckman Coulter’s detection menu for FRET (Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer) assays by reading Cy3 paired with Cy5 or Cy5.5 dyes, which are commonly used in genomics and proteomics research.

PARADIGM cartridges can be interchanged in less than five minutes, without hardware changes, to meet different assay needs. “The PARADIGM platform has been very well received since its introduction last year and customers value its modularity,” explained Alisa Jackson, product manager for Beckman Coulter. “With these new cartridges and others that were previously added, we’ve almost doubled the detection choices since introduction. We will continue to add cartridges for relevant applications.”

Beckman Coulter, Inc., based in California, USA, develops, manufactures and markets products that simplify, automate and innovate complex biomedical tests. More than 200,000 Beckman Coulter systems operate in laboratories around the world supplying critical information for improving patient health and reducing the cost of care. Recurring revenue (consisting of supplies, test kits, service and operating-type lease payments) represents approximately 78 percent of the company’s 2007 annual revenue of US $2.76 billion.