New HC Imager launched at CHI HCA 2009

[Joe Trask]

FYI -
This is a pretty cool looking system, it even lights up blue when
running and red when something is wrong. It has confocal capability -
uses a spinning disk-like technology; it is dependent on a Zeon light
source or could potential use another light source based on liquid
light guide; laser autofocus, no image based autofocus.
Environmental control is likely to come in the near future, 14- bit
CCD camera (285i Sony chip); independent exciton and emission filter
with the ability to swap out bar coded filter holders; uses a new
software called Harmony based on Acapella backbone that looks very
user friendly. I believe the price is around $220K.

Press Release from PE (copied): We are delighted to announce the
launch of the OperettaTM High Content Screening (HCS) system,
providing state-of-the–art high content research and screening
capabilities to drug discovery and biological research labs of any
size through a benchtop device.

The Operetta is designed to provide maximum functionality in the
smallest possible footprint. A large field of view and multi-processor
technology ensure high speed data acquisition and analysis.
Complementary to the OperaTM as an assay development solution it can
be easily used as a starter instrument for HCS applications.
Preconfigured applications assist researchers who are new to HCS and
user configurable building blocks enable more experienced users to
develop their own assays. The Harmony™ software offers a full set of
tools to develop assays, automate hardware, analyze data, and store
and retrieve results, as well as remote access capability.