News & Events
News & Events
Press Release
Applied BioPhysics Investing in the Future of Science
July 1, 2006…… Applied BioPhysics, an analytical instrument manufacturer in Troy NY, introduces a new automated instrument with a distinctive new face panel to monitor cell behavior for use in advanced biology courses offered at two-year and four-year colleges.
The ECIS Model 800E (Electric Cell-substrate Impedance Sensing) measurement follows the impedance of cell-coated electrodes in real time and is non-invasive and quantitative. In addition, the approach gathers data on cell behavior without the use of fluorescence or radio-labeled materials.
The ECISTM Model 800E can be used in teaching labs as a way to incorporate state-of-the-art instrumentation while introducing standard tissue culture methods to students at the beginning of their scientific exploration. This modern technology is being packaged as a teaching tool, including a laboratory manual with five suggested cell culture experiments for students.
Students can now electrically monitor cell morphological changes continuously and see results in real time. The Model 800E simultaneously follow up to 8 independent culture wells. Applications include measurements of cell attachment and spreading, cell-cell interactions, cell motility, proliferation, wound healing and migration.
Dr. Brett Blackman, an Institute Professor and researcher in the Department of Biomedical Engineering (BME) at the University of Virginia located in Charlottesville, has developed an advanced biomedical engineering course for 3rd year undergraduate students. The BME Integrated Design & Experimental Analysis (IDEAS) laboratory course incorporates tissue engineering, cell culture, RNA and protein isolation and analysis, electric circuit design, biomechanics as well as other advance disciplines into his curriculum.
"We need to enhance learning through hands-on integration of curriculum concepts by teaching techniques, methodologies, instrumentation, and basic skills. With technology like ECIS we can now do that," says Blackman.
BME IDEAS is supported in part by funds from The Whitaker Foundation and the University of Virginia’s School of Engineering and Applied Science.
Other academic institutions like Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy NY, also sees the importance of biophysics and other interdisciplinary fields. Rensselaer recently completed an $80 million facility, The Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies. This world-class facility was designed to enhance collaboration among many diverse academic and research disciplines to foster scientific discovery and encourage innovation.
George Edick, a biology professor at Rensselaer has recently integrated the ECIS 800E into his undergraduate biology course.
"The undergraduate student have really taken to the ECIS technology…I believe ECIS is a great way to bring new enthusiasm back to an old discipline," says Dr. Edick.