Merck Launches Next-Generation Technology for Advanced Live Cell Imaging

• Allows more precise control and manipulation of cell culture environments
• Converts microscope into powerful, state-of-the-art tool for live cell imaging

Darmstadt, Germany, November 14, 2016 — Merck, a leading science and technology company, has launched the CellASIC® ONIX2 Microfluidic System for advanced live cell imaging. The system converts laboratory microscopes into powerful tools for live cell imaging to more effectively perform in-depth analysis of cellular mechanisms and behaviour in a live environment.

The next-generation CellASIC® ONIX2 system allows precise control and manipulation of cell culture environments and provides constant, stable imaging conditions while preserving the health of cells.

“Live cell imaging is an essential instrument for researchers, allowing them to deepen their understanding of biological function, accelerating life-saving or life-extending therapies,” said Jason Apter, Head of Research Solutions Strategic Marketing & Innovation, Life Science. “With the new CellASIC® ONIX2 system, Merck is bringing this powerful tool to researchers in a reliable and easy-to-use system that helps them address their most pressing scientific questions.”

The all-in-one system includes a controller that maintains environmental conditions, with application-specific microfluidic plates and intuitive software.

With Merck’s CellASIC® ONIX2 Microfluidic System, researchers can monitor cellular responses to environmental changes such as media, stimulants, temperature and gas and track individual cells over time. By using microfluidic technology and a small cell culture chamber, these changes can be done faster and more consistently compared with traditional cell cultures. The system’s cell culture platform can be used by drug discovery, basic and applied microbiological and mammalian cell researchers conducting semi-automated, repeatable long-term experiments while continuously collecting quantitative image-based data.

“Microfluidic technology is changing the way we perform live cell analysis,” said Dr. Jintao Liu, Researcher at the Suel Lab, University of California San Diego. “The CellASIC® ONIX microfluidic system is amazingly easy to use yet highly adaptable, which greatly reduces the barrier to adopting this emerging technology.”

The CellASIC® ONIX2 system provides a new level of reliability to researchers studying long-term growth, movement, signaling and cellular interactions and responses to environmental stimuli, including hypoxia and cancer cell behavior. The system’s high-resolution capabilities are ideal for producing time-lapse cell culture videos or developing cell-based assays and optimizing parameters for short- or long-term cultures.

About Merck
Merck is a leading science and technology company in healthcare, life science and performance materials. Around 50,000 employees work to further develop technologies that improve and enhance life – from biopharmaceutical therapies to treat cancer or multiple sclerosis, cutting-edge systems for scientific research and production, to liquid crystals for smartphones and LCD televisions. In 2015, Merck generated sales of € 12.85 billion in 66 countries.

Founded in 1668, Merck is the world's oldest pharmaceutical and chemical company. The founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed corporate group. Merck holds the global rights to the Merck name and brand. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the company operates as EMD Serono, MilliporeSigma and EMD Performance Materials.