A Worldwide Milestone in Cell Analysis - 40 Years of Flow Cytometry

GÖRLITZ, Germany - Biotechnology Company Partec Celebrates Festive Ceremony

2009 is the year of the 40th anniversary since the introduction of the worldwide first fluorescence based flow cytometer - the ICP 11.

Today, the German biotechnology company celebrates this anniversary at the Saxonian State Vineyard Castle Wackerbarth near Dresden. For the festive ceremony, CEO Roland Göhde receives 100 guests from the scientific, economical and political society.

In 1968, the fluorescence based cytometry was developed by Professor Dr. Wolfgang Göhde at the University in Muenster and patented in the same year (German patent application DE1815352). Nowadays, flow cytometry has evolved as a standard tool for a broad range of applications in healthcare, microbiology, agroscience, aquaculture and quality control in the industrial field.

Fluorescence based flow cytometry is a standard method for automated and rapid cell analysis and cell enumeration procedures. Using most modern optoelectronics, cells and particles of small size, even in nanometer range, are detected. The cells are marked with specific reagents and excited by one or more laser, consequently the emitted fluorescent signals are collected. With the obtained data, cells can be characterized, classified, quantified and sorted. For HIV monitoring, accompanying the antiretroviral therapy of AIDS patients, it is necessary to determine the number of CD4 cells.

Partec has developed a generation of robust, easy to operate and cost effective flow cytometers that can be operated in resource-poor areas in developing countries. 75 employees are working at the company site in Goerlitz, where the dedicated diagnostic solutions are being developed and manufactured. Partec offers the complete diagnostic package and reagents in the fight against Tb, Malaria and HIV/ AIDS.

www.partec.com

Claudia Khmel Partec GmbH Am Flugplatz 13, 02828 Görlitz Fon: +49-(0)3581-8746-0 c.khmel@partec.com

Source: Partec GmbH

Claudia Khmel, Partec GmbH, Am Flugplatz 13, 02828 Görlitz, Fon: +49-(0)3581-8746-0, c.khmel at partec.com