Company News
2010 ECIS Users Meeting - Save the Date: August 24-27, 2010
The 2010
ECIS Users Meeting will take place at the Rensselaerville Institute's Meeting
Center southwest of Albany, NY. The format for the meeting will be a
series of
twelve 30-minute seminars and fourteen 15-minute platform presentations
as well
as poster presentations and workshop sessions.
Ten of
the seminars will be given by invited speakers.
Attendees are encouraged to submit abstracts from which the remaining 2
seminars and the fourteen platform talks will be selected. The deadline
for
abstracts to be considered for platform presentation is June 1, 2010,
and those
selected will be notified by July 1, 2010.
To encourage the attendance
of young
scientists, ABP will award a $300 travel grant and waive the
registration fee
for two doctoral students from those submitting
abstracts. The
awardees' abstracts will also be selected for oral presentation.
The
Registration Fee for the meeting is $500 which includes three nights
lodging and
all meals. Accommodations are provided
for the nights of the 24th, 25th, and 26th.
Meal service begins with dinner on the 24th and ends with boxed
lunches on the 27th. Wednesday's dinner will be followed by the
keynote address from Ivar Giaever, 1973 Nobel Prize winner in Physics,
Co-Inventor of ECIS, Professor Emeritus, and CTO of Applied BioPhysics.
To register and/or submit abstracts, please contact Christian
Renken by email or phone at renken@biophysics.com
/ 518-880-6860
The Rensselaerville Institute's Meeting Center is a historic meeting place. Originating in 1924 with the Rensselaerville Country Forums, the Center can
host up to 84 overnight guests, who are supported by a dedicated staff
in an historic country setting, which fosters a spirit of open
mindedness and productivity seldom achieved elsewhere. Because space is limited we encourage people to register early. Special rates are available for non-participatory guests and interested parties should call Applied BioPhysics for details. We look forward to seeing you in August!
Sandra
M. Wells - First Recipient of Early Career ECIS Grant
We are proud to introduce Sandra M. Wells,
Assistant Professor at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, as the
first recipient of the Applied BioPhysics Early Career ECIS Grant Program. This
program is intended to foster the prospects of young scientists to secure
initial NIH funding of their health related research.
Dr. Wells investigates the causes and mechanisms of lung
disease. More specifically, she focuses on determining the physiological
mechanisms underlying the pathology of asthma. Dr. Wells will utilize ECIS to conduct cell measurements of
lung epithelial cells in vitro and
employ mouse models of allergic asthma to explore potential therapeutic
strategies in vivo. These studies are
expected to establish a key role for lung serotonin homeostasis in allergic
asthma, revealing new therapeutic targets in lung disease.
Applied
BioPhysics accepts applications for the Early Career ECIS Grant on an ongoing
basis. The grant provides support for researchers in the pursuit of preliminary
data for their first R01. Applications should be submitted 3-4 months
prior to the intended NIH submission date. Scientists applying for initial NSF
funding are also encouraged to apply. Foreign scientists applying for initial
funding from their own governments should email a letter of inquiry describing
their status to Dr. Christian Renken at renken@biophysics.com
for clarification of eligibility.
Applied BioPhysics introduces new wound-healing arrays
These new arrays
feature line electrodes that measure 150 by 667 micrometers. These arrays produce wounds that mimic the
shape of traditional mechanical scrapes and due to the smaller distance to
close the wound, return migration data in shorter time than the standard ECIS
circular electrodes. The new arrays are
now available in 8 well format and will be available in 96 wells in the near
future. For more information or to order our line arrays please contact Catherine Toniatti at ctoniatti@biophysics.com.
Applied BioPhysics introduces a new ECIS
Stage Incubator
Being able to simultaneously track cell impedance and
microscopic changes in real time provides researchers with insight in
interpreting impedance changes and understanding of cell behavior. To
facilitate concurrent ECIS impedance measurements and optical measurements, we
are pleased to offer a new ECIS Stage Incubator. The device accepts up to two eight well ECIS
arrays (16 wells total) and fits on the stage of any standard inverted
microscope with illumination from above.
The system is priced below $12,000 and comes with a
circulating water bath for temperature control and gas flow gauges/humidifier
for the incubator atmosphere. The water
bath, made by PolyScience, is fully integrated into the ECIS system via a
thermocouple residing in the Stage Incubator chamber. The ECIS software provides a continuous
readout of the chamber temperature, and temperature changes can be readily
programmed to within 0.1 degree Celsius.
Within
the chamber, cells on the transparent 8 well ECIS array can be viewed with
standard tissue culture objective lenses.
For higher power applications High
NA ECIS arrays can be used, where electrodes are situated on a substrate
that is only 0.005 (0.127mm) inches thick (35% that of the standard arrays).
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Software
Update
The
latest version of ECIS software is v1.2.25 (for the PC) which includes the
ability to export data to Excel and a number of bug
fixes. You can download the latest PC
version update using the following link: http://www.biophysics.com/software/ECIS_Software_Update.msi
If
your system is on the internet, go to 'Help | Check for Updates' in the
software for automatic updates.
You
can also install ECIS software on different computers for offline analysis
using the CD that came with your system; contact info@biophysics.com for
details.
Windows 7
ECIS software is compatible with Windows 7 provided your
instrument uses an 'EdgePort' USB device.
When you plug in the USB cable from your instrument, Windows 7 will recognize
the 'EdgePort' and install the correct driver.
Following the driver installation, please open the 'EdgePort
Configuration Utility', and check that the COM ports are numbered
sequentially. If necessary, click
'Configure' and change the port numbers to be sequential, and then unplug and
re-plug in the USB cable to reset the ports.
Please let us know of any problems with using Windows 7.
Troubleshooting
USB communication problems
If
during an experiment you get a 'red screen' and/or the computer beeps, this
indicates communication with the instrument has been lost. Please check that the
USB connection is not loose at both the computer and instrument, and if
necessary unplug and plug in the USB cable. The software should recover and
continue collecting data when the connection is reestablished.
If
the problem reoccurs, there may be an issue with the USB port on the
computer. It is recommended to try a
different USB port or use a powered USB hub.
Please contact us if you are having any software issues or have suggestions for new features: 1-866-301-ECIS or info@biophysics.com.
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ECIS Webinar Schedule 2010
ECIS application webinars review the topics listed below in 20 minute, web-based, interactive seminars presented by Applied BioPhysics president and co-founder, Dr. Charles Keese.
All webinars are held at 11:00am EST. To register for a webinar, please go to: https://appliedbiophysics.webex.com
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Cell Invasion / Extravasation Assays - March 30, 2010
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Automated Cell Migration - April 13, 2010
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Barrier Function Assays - May 4, 2010
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Real-time Electroporation and Monitoring - May 18,
2010
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Cell Attachment and Spreading Measurements - June 8,
2010
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Signal Transduction Assays - June 22, 2010
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Toxicology with ECIS - July 6, 2010
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ECIS Theory - July 20, 2010
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Cell Invasion / Extravasation Assays - September 7,
2010
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Automated Cell Migration - September 21, 2010
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Barrier Function Assays - October 5, 2010
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Real-time Electroporation and Monitoring - October
19, 2010
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Cell Attachment and Spreading Measurements - November
2, 2010
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Signal Transduction Assays - November 16, 2010
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Toxicology with ECIS - December 7, 2010
For a more detailed description of each webinar, please visit: http://www.appliedbiophysics.com/contactUs/webinar.html.
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New Publications
Formation and Disassembly of Adherens and Tight
Junctions in the Corneal Endothelium: Regulation by Actomyosin Contraction. Charanya
Ramachandran and Sangly P. Srinivas. Invest.
Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2010; 51:2139-2148.
The PI3K p110 isoform
regulates endothelial adherens junctions via Pyk2 and Rac1. Robert
J. Cain, Bart Vanhaesebroeck, and Anne J. Ridley. J. Cell Biol. 2010; 188:863-876.
ADAM15 regulates endothelial permeability and
neutrophil migration via Src/ERK1/2 signaling. Chongxiu
Sun, Mack H. Wu, Mingzhang Guo, Mark L. Day, Eugene S. Lee, and Sarah Y. Yuan. Cardiovasc Res. published 17 March
2010, 10.1093/cvr/cvq060
Adenosine
Protected Against Pulmonary Edema through Transporter- and Receptor A2-Mediated
Endothelial Barrier Enhancement. Qing Lu, Elizabeth O. Harrington, Julie
Newton, Brian Casserly, Gregory Radin, Rod Warburton, Yang Zhou, Michael R
Blackburn, and Sharon Rounds. Am
J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol. published 12 March 2010,
10.1152/ajplung.00330.2009
Particulate Matter Disrupts Human Lung
Endothelial Barrier Integrity via ROS- and p38 MAPK-Dependent Pathways. Ting
Wang, Eddie T. Chiang, Liliana Moreno-Vinasco, Gabriel D. Lang, Srikanth
Pendyala, Jonathan M. Samet, Alison S. Geyh, Patrick N. Breysse, Steven N.
Chillrud, Viswanathan Natarajan, and Joe G. N. Garcia. Am. J. Respir. Cell Mol. Biol.
2010; 42:442-449.
The RhoA Activator GEF-H1/Lfc Is a Transforming
Growth Factor-β Target Gene and Effector That Regulates -Smooth
Muscle Actin Expression and Cell Migration.
Anna Tsapara, Phillip Luthert, John Greenwood, Caroline S. Hill, Karl Matter,
and Maria S. Balda. Mol.
Biol. Cell. 2010; 21:860-870.
Hyaluronic Acid Binding Protein 2 Is a Novel
Regulator of Vascular Integrity. Nurbek Mambetsariev,
Tamara Mirzapoiazova, Bolot Mambetsariev, Saad Sammani, Frances E. Lennon, Joe
G.N. Garcia, and Patrick A. Singleton. Arterioscler
Thromb Vasc Biol. 2010; 30:483-490.
The Role of Claudin- 5 and the Paracellular Barrier Function in
Endothelial Cells during Invasion of Breast Cancer Cells. A.
Escudero-Esparza, T. Martin, and W. Jiang
Cancer Res.
2009; 69:6170.
Nwasp, the Neural Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein, Plays a Pivotal Role
in the Control of Endothelial Migration and Angiogenesis. W.
Jiang, T. Martin, and R. Mansel
Cancer Res.
2009; 69:2156.
Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Inhibitor (VEGI) in Human
Urothelial Cancer of the Bladder and its Effects on the Adhesion and Migration
of Bladder Cancer Cells In Vitro
Ning Zhang, Andrew J. Sanders, Lin Ye, Howard G. Kynaston, And Wen G. Jiang
Anticancer
Res. 2010; 30:87-95.
A simple mathematical model for electric cell-substrate impedance sensing
with extended applications. C Xiao and JH Luong. Biosens Bioelectron.
2009.
Role of protein tyrosine phosphatase SHP2 in barrier function of
pulmonary endothelium.
KL Grinnell, B Casserly, and EO Harrington. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol. 2009.
Inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase 3beta (GSK3beta) decreases
inflammatory responses in brain endothelial cells. SH Ramirez,
S Fan, M Zhang, A Papugani, N Reichenbach, H Dykstra, AJ Mercer, RF Tuma, and Y
Persidsky. Am
J Pathol. 2010; 176: 881.
Hyaluronic Acid Binding Protein 2 Is a Novel Regulator of Vascular
Integrity.
N Mambetsariev, T Mirzapoiazova, B Mambetsariev, S Sammani, FE Lennon, JG
Garcia, and PA Singleton Arterioscler
Thromb Vasc Biol. 2009.
Microrna-7 Modulates CD98
Expression during Intestinal Epithelial Cell
Differentiation. Hang Thi Thu Nguyen, Guillaume Dalmasso, Yutao Yan, Hamed
Laroui,
Stephanie Dahan, Lloyd Mayer, Shanthi V. Sitaraman, and Didier Merlin. J. Biol. Chem. 2010; 285:1479-1489.
Effect of PPAR inhibition on pulmonary endothelial cell gene
expression: gene profiling in pulmonary hypertension. Jing Tian, Anita Smith,
John Nechtman, Robert Podolsky, Saurabh Aggarwal, Connie Snead, Sanjiv Kumar,
Manal Elgaish, Peter Oishi, Agnes Göerlach, Sohrab Fratz, John Hess, John D.
Catravas, Alexander. D. Verin, Jeffrey R. Fineman, Jin-Xiong She, and Stephen
M. Black. Physiol Genomics. 2009;
40:48-60.
Bone marrow-derived progenitor
cells prevent thrombin-induced increase in lung vascular permeability. Yidan D. Zhao, Hiroshi Ohkawara, Stephen M. Vogel, Asrar B. Malik, and You-Yang
Zhao. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol.
2010; 298:L36-L44.
Characterization of cell adhesion in airway epithelial cell types using ECIS.
I.H. Heijink, S.M. Brandenburg, J.A. Noordhoek, D.S. Postma,
D-J. Slebos, and A.J.M. van Oosterhout. Eur. Respir. J. Published 25 February 2010,
10.1183/09031936.00065809.
Barrier Dysfunction of the Corneal Endothelium in Response to TNF-a: Role of p38 MAP Kinase. Mahesh Shivanna, Gangaraju Rajashekhar, and Sangly P. Srinivas. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis.
Sci. 2010; 51:1575-1582.
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Have you recently published an article that includes the use of ECIS? If so, submit your publications to Applied BioPhysics via email to Nancy Vlahos at vlahos@biophysics.com. We
will announce your article in our newletter, post it on our website and send you 2
FREE 8 well arrays!
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Visit Us at Upcoming Events!
Applied BioPhysics will have ECIS demonstrations and informational
literature at the following tradeshows and events:
AACR 101st Annual Meeting
April
17 - 21, 2010
Walter E. Washington
Convention Center
Washington,
DC
Experimental Biology 2010
April 24
- 28, 2010
Anaheim, CA
American Society for Cell Biology
ASCB 50th Annual Meeting
December 11-15, 2010
Philadelphia, PA
February 21 - 23 Biophysical Society Meeting in San Francisco:
Christian Renken explains ECIS applications to a booth visitor.
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Tip of the Month: Choice of program for ECIS time course data
acquisition
The new ECIS software offers three different modes for time
course data collection:
- multiple frequency/time (MFT)
-
single frequency/time (SFT)
-
rapid time collection (RTC)
The main determination in choosing a particular mode is
whether one is monitoring cell changes that are taking place very rapidly. Most cell culture experiments involve changes
that take place over minutes to hours; however, more rapid events may be
monitored such as when studying signal transduction.
For the most rapid data acquisition, the RTC mode collects 10
or more samples per second but is restricted to monitoring a single well at a
time and at a single frequency.
The SFT mode enables multiple wells to be monitored at a
single frequency at a rate of 0.5 seconds per well.
To conduct a more thorough analysis of an experiment where
rapid data acquisition is not an issue, we strongly recommend using the MFT
program. Each well selected is
automatically monitored at multiple frequencies (depending on the array type),
the average rate being 10 to 15 seconds per well for a full frequency
scan. Distinct aspects of cell behavior
can be probed with different AC frequencies, and if you are using the Z Theta
instrument, MTF data can be modeled to provide quantitative measurement of
defined cell parameters.
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| ECIS Humor
Need a good laugh? Visit the ECIS Cartoons page of our website to view cartoons by Catherine, our in-house cartoonist, to start your day with a smile.
Are you the creative type? Submit one of your own cartoons; if we post it on our website we will send you a free array!
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