The Scientist’s Top 10 Innovations of 2010 Announced

London, United Kingdom, December 01, 2010 --(PR.com)-- The Scientist, Faculty of 1000’s magazine of the life sciences, announced today the winners of the “Top 10 Innovations of 2010.” The Scientist invited a panel of expert judges to evaluate life science technologies and determine the ten most exciting tools to hit the life sciences this year.

Molecular chemist Neil Kelleher of Northwestern University, sequencing pioneer Jonathan Rothberg, Princeton University genomicist Amy Caudy, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory biologist H. Steven Wiley reviewed more than 60 entries in the third annual Top 10 Innovations competition to narrow down the products to the 10 best.

This year's winners include essential tools, such as sequencers, imagers, and cell counters, that have the potential to simplify and streamline work in biology labs; and cutting-edge advances, from tailor-made disease-model cell lines to heart cells derived from induced pluripotent stem cells.

The Gold honor was awarded to Pacific Biosciences, for its breakthrough product PacBio RS, which enables single molecule, real-time, or SMRT, detection of biological processes, for the first time. The Silver went to Sigma-Aldrich and its CompoZr custom zinc-finger nuclease service. This new portfolio of products offers genetically modified mammalian cell lines for a broad spectrum of applications. EMD Millipore’s Scepter Handheld Automated Cell Counter claimed bronze as the only handheld, automated cell counter available today.

The Maestro Dynamic, developed by Cambridge Research & Instrumentation is a kinetic all-optical in-vivo fluorescence imaging system that generates real-time images of temporal biodistribution and biological activity. Reinnervate Limited presented Alvetex®, a unique and highly porous polystyrene scaffold that enables the routine, reproducible and cost-effective creation of 3D cell cultures in the laboratory.

The Attune Acoustic Focusing Cytometer from Applied Biosystems also made the Top 10. This product enables scientists to gather statistical data on a large number of heterogeneous cells to study parameters within a cell population, including size, complexity, phenotype and health.

“The 2010 winners represent exceptional combinations of invention, vision and utility and we look forward to seeing how these products will impact the life sciences,” said Mary Beth Aberlin, Deputy Editor.

The Top 10 Innovations of 2010:

1) PacBio RS; Pacific Biosciences
2) Genetically engineered disease model cell lines; Sigma-Aldrich
3) Scepter Handheld Automated Cell Counter; EMD Millipore
4) Diffinity RapidTip™; Diffinity Genomics
5) iCell Cardiomyocytes; Cellular Dynamics International
6) Maestro Dynamic; Cambridge Research & Instrumentation
7) Alvetex®; Reinnervate Limited
8) Attune Acoustic Focusing Cytometer; Applied Biosystems
9) Gel Doc EZ Imager; Bio-Rad Laboratories
10) Preddator microplate dispenser; Redd&Whyte

Read the complete feature in The Scientist’s December 2010 issue. The article will be available online starting December 1, 2010 at www.the-scientist.com/top10innovations.

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About The Scientist (www.the-scientist.com)
The Scientist, F1000’s magazine of the life sciences, has informed and entertained life science professionals around the world for over 24 years. We provide print and online coverage of the latest developments in the life sciences including trends in research, new technology, news, business and careers. We reach the leaders in academia and industry that are interested in maintaining a broad view of the life sciences by reading insightful articles that are current, concise, accurate and entertaining. For more information about The Scientist, visit www.the-scientist.com.

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