February 1, 2013 (Vol. 33, No. 3)

Impacting Lives Through Science

From the extremes of South American rain forests, to the harsh conditions of the Antarctic, to cutting-edge research laboratories around the globe, scientists rely on products from LI-COR® Biosciences to provide answers. LI-COR is a global leader in the design, manufacture, and marketing of high-quality, innovative instruments, software, reagents, and integrated systems for plant biology, protein and DNA analysis, drug discovery, and environmental research.

LI-COR was co-founded in 1971 by Bill Biggs who was working with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to develop an instrument to help in researching sorghum as a food product. LI-COR formally came into existence when scientists around the world began requesting similar instruments.

As time passed, LI-COR shifted focus from products to help researchers with agricultural science, to creating products that answer questions related to global climate change. With the huge growth in DNA fragment analysis and biotechnology research in the early 1980s, LI-COR added another focus: gene-sequencing technology, which led to the company’s biotechnology line.

Markets Served

Today, more than 30,000 customers in more than 100 countries use LI-COR products in studies ranging from global climate change to cancer research. LI-COR employs more than 340 personnel at its Lincoln, Nebraska, headquarters, with subsidiary operations in Cambridge, United Kingdom, and Bad Homburg, Germany.

LI-COR’s mission is to impact lives through science. This mission is realized each day as LI-COR works to develop tools that help researchers gain insights and, in some special cases, help solve issues at the forefront of concerns about worldwide well being. Most notable, these tools aid in understanding the world’s changing climate, precisely measuring photosynthesis to enable plant breeders to select high-yielding species for increased food production, and bringing researchers closer to finding a cure for cancer.

LI-COR’s infrared fluorescent dye technology is one example where its products are working to make a significant impact to facilitate oncology research. One of the infrared dyes from LI-COR, IRDye® 800CW, is coupled with an optical agent that is designed to attach to cancerous tissue when injected into the bloodstream. This, in effect, “paints” the tissue for clear visibility when illuminated with infrared light. This targeted illumination is being developed to provide cancer surgeons with a clear picture of what tissue needs to be removed. It is currently available as an investigational tool to determine its potential to offer cancer patients improved surgical outcomes.

Capabilities

While its flagship product comes from LI-COR’s line of environmental solutions, its line of biotechnology instruments, reagents, and software have become equally as important to researchers worldwide. The family of Odyssey® infrared imaging systems and corresponding reagents have allowed researchers to see their results beyond traditional techniques.

LI-COR is introducing the C-DiGit™ Chemiluminescent Western Blot Scanner in 2013 as its latest innovation. The C-DiGit Scanner offers a digital replacement for film-based Western blots that includes the sensitivity and image quality of film, while providing significant improvements in digital image quality. As the cost of film rises, the C-DiGit Scanner gives researchers the first truly affordable replacement option.

C-DiGit Western images are captured in a matter of minutes and researchers do not have to change detection protocols or reagents.

LI-COR Biosciences

4647 Superior Street Lincoln, NE 68504-5000

Phone: 402.467.3576

Website: www.licor.com

Date Founded: 1971

Number of Employees: 340

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