Arizona State University’s Biodesign Institute Will Acquire the First Commercially Available Cell-CT™ Imaging Platform

Tempe, AZ – In an effort to advance knowledge of human cell biology to improve human health, Arizona State University’s Biodesign Institute will acquire the first commercially available Cell-CT imaging platform from VisionGate, Inc., a Seattle-based private company.

The acquisition places the Biodesign Institute at the forefront of a new generation of medical imaging technologies. The Cell-CT is a sophisticated optical instrument that employs patented computed tomographic (CT) scanning methods to generate high-resolution three-dimensional images of individual cells, allowing precise measurement of cellular anatomy and molecular markers important for understanding and identifying the earliest stages of disease.

“We will use this breakthrough capability to further our research in understanding, predicting and diagnosing cell function or dysfunction at the level of a single cell,” said Deirdre Meldrum, director of the institute’s Center for Ecogenomics and dean of ASU’s Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering. “The Cell-CT uniquely provides a new way to investigate cellular features with the added ability to view designated segments of cells in high resolution 3-D, allowing us a better view into disease-causing processes. ”

Thomas Neumann, M.D., VisionGate’s vice president for medical science, said the sale of the company’s first Cell-CT platform is a significant step for the company. “We are encouraged that the scientists at the Biodesign Institute will be using our novel 3-D cellular imaging technology for their groundbreaking research on single cell biology,” he said. “VisionGate plans to continue developing the Cell-CT system for clinical use in the early detection of lung cancer, and the agreement announced today is expected to provide valuable contributions to the institute’s personalized medicine initiatives.”

VisionGate will install the Cell-CT instrument at the Biodesign Institute’s Center for Ecogenomics in the first quarter of 2009. The agreement includes standard provision for the sale of research instruments, including a short acceptance period following delivery.

About the Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University
The goal of the Biodesign Institute is to improve human health and quality of life through use-inspired biosystems research and effective multidisciplinary partnerships. The Center for Ecogenomics is developing tools, sensors and systems to detect and analyze differences between healthy and diseased cells as well as to identify genetic traits that enable certain microorganisms to adapt to harsh environments. For more information visit: www.biodesign.asu.edu

To learn more about Fulton School of Engineering Dean Deirdre Meldrum’s research, go to: www.biodesign.asu.edu/centers/eg/.

About VisionGate, Inc.
VisionGate, a privately held corporation in Washington State, has developed the proprietary 3-D cell image analysis platform, the Cell-CT, based on the company’s broadly patented technology. The Cell-CT is capable of generating high-resolution 3-D information from intact cells for automated analysis of biomarkers and pathology. For more information visit VisionGate’s website at:  www.visiongate3d.com.