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The design of the electronic sensor, innovative techniques to collect and assess data and optimised instrumentation make this system a unique platform for cell-based assays and provide a benchmark potential for cellular and molecular biology. Continuous measurement is performed label free and fast - the system needs less than 15 seconds to analyze a 96 well E Plate.

The xCELLigence System is composed of four main components: the RTCA Analyzer, the RTCA SP Station, the RTCA Computer and integrated Software, , and the disposable 96 well microtiter E-Plate. With its compact design, the RTCA SP Station is located inside a standard tissue culture incubator and is capable of switching any one of the wells on the E-Plate 96 to the RTCA Analyzer for impedance measurement. Under precise software control, the RTCA SP Analyzer automatically selects wells for measurement and continuously transfers measured impedance data to the computer. Cell Index values, derived from the measured impedances, are continuously displayed in real time by the software user interface. This allows for easy setup and customization of assay protocols and for simplified integrated, on-line data analysis.

The heart of the technique is a micro-electronic biosensor which is built into each well of the standard 16 or 96 well E Plate microtiter plates. A cell which has contact with the sensor changes the electrical impedance between the microelectrodes. Each change in the cell's status - for example, changes in cell adhesion, cytotoxicity, cell proliferation, cell - cell interactions, and morphological changes - leads to changes in the impedance measurements and can therefore be easily and quickly detected in real time. Labelling of the cells, which can induce non-physiological changes in the cells, is not necessary. The system is label free and requires no reporters.

This superior technology has a number of advantages in comparison to conventional systems. It is suitable for uninterrupted monitoring of processes in living cells and for monitoring real-time kinetics. The system supplies a densely concentrated stream of information and shows excellent sensitivity and reproducibility when monitoring the overall cell population of a cell culture.

Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is one of the world's leading research-focused healthcare groups in the fields of pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. As the world's biggest biotech company and an innovator of products and services for the early detection, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases, the Group contributes on a broad range of fronts to improving people's health and quality of life. Roche is the world leader in in-vitro diagnostics and drugs for cancer and transplantation, and is a market leader in virology. It is also active in other major therapeutic areas such as autoimmune diseases, inflammatory and metabolic disorders and diseases of the central nervous system. In 2007 sales by the Pharmaceuticals Division totalled 36.8 billion Swiss francs, and the Diagnostics Division posted sales of 9.3 billion francs. Roche has R&D agreements and strategic alliances with numerous partners, including majority ownership interests in Genentech and Chugai, and invested over 8 billion Swiss francs in R&D in 2007. Worldwide, the Group employs about 79,000 people. Additional information is available on the Internet at www.roche.com.

ACEA Biosciences has pioneered the development of high-performance microelectronic systems for cell-based assays. ACEA and its partner Roche will market on a world-wide basis ACEA's microplate-based biosensor platform for a variety of applications in drug development, toxicology, cancer research, and medical microbiology and virology. ACEA's products are designed to meet the increasing needs of the life science research and drug discovery markets by providing cost-effective, high content, real time detection systems that simplify complex cell-based assay procedures and increase productivity. With its international reach, ACEA Biosciences works closely with scientists throughout the world. Hangzhou, China is the site of ACEA's world-class manufacturing operations. ACEA Biosciences headquarters is in San Diego, USA.

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