Agilent Technologies Expands Compatibility and Capabilities of Atomic Force Microscope for Nanoscale Life Science Research

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) today announced that its 6000ILM atomic force microscope is now compatible with Nikon TiE series and Olympus IX series inverted light microscopes, significantly extending the popular AFM’s utility for life science research.

Besides broader compatibility, Agilent added several key capabilities to the 6000ILM AFM platform. Of particular importance is the availability of an incubator perfusion cell sample plate. The sample plate facilitates dynamic studies in liquids and gases, as well as a top-view video optics package that gives researchers the ability to see opaque samples while scanning.

Single-pass electrical characterization capabilities and force-volume spectroscopy capabilities, along with the flexibility of Agilent PicoView software plug-ins and scripting, further expand the usefulness of the 6000ILM AFM for studying cell membranes, the surface structure of cells, single DNA or RNA strands, individual proteins, single molecules, biopolymers and more.

“The compatibility of the 6000ILM AFM system with Nikon and Olympus inverted light microscopes means the advantages of high-precision atomic force microscopy are now readily accessible to a greater number of life science researchers,” said Jeff Jones, operations manager for Agilent’s nanoinstrumentation facility in Chandler, Ariz. “Seamless ILM-AFM integration lets researchers go beyond the optical diffraction limit to achieve nanoscale resolution without special sample preparation.”

To facilitate dynamic studies in fluid, the optional 6000ILM perfusion cell sample plate provides continuous perfusion, offers variable flow-through and maintains liquid level. When even more control is required, a 6000ILM incubator perfusion cell sample plate boasts a sealed chamber, in and out ports for flow-through of liquids and gases, and the ability to heat from room temperature to 40 C. Cell viability can be maintained for up to eight hours. The 6000ILM AFM also supports a number of specially designed sample plates that accommodate cover slips, microscope slides, or petri dishes, as well as a controlled-temperature sample plate with heating from ambient to 80 C.

AFM Instrumentation from Agilent

Agilent offers high-precision modular AFM solutions for research, industry and education. Worldwide support is provided by experienced application scientists and technical service personnel. Agilent’s leading-edge R&D laboratories are dedicated to the timely introduction and optimization of innovative and easy-to-use AFM technologies.

About Agilent Technologies

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) is the world’s premier measurement company and a technology leader in chemical analysis, life sciences, diagnostics, electronics, and communications. The company’s 20,500 employees serve customers in more than 100 countries. Agilent had revenues of $6.9 billion in fiscal 2012. Information about Agilent is available at www.agilent.com.