October 27, 2008 -- PerkinElmer is pleased to announce the launch of Columbus™ Conductor – a new addition to the Columbus range of products for high volume image storage and management. Designed as a partner product for the Opera™, our premier confocal microplate imaging reader, the system has the added benefit of full compatibility with a wide range of image file formats. Columbus can be used to archive and manage images from confocal and standard research microscopes, as well as from High Content Screening systems and can act as a convenient central repository for all image data.

The Columbus data management platform utilizes an open protocol, run on the OMERO server developed by the Open Microscopy Environment (OME). This is a multi-site collaborative effort among academic laboratories and a number of commercial entities that produces open tools to support data management for biological light microscopy. By using an open protocol, the Columbus software is interoperable with a wide variety of instruments and software, with support being added for more products on a frequent basis.

Columbus is now available in two versions: Columbus Gallery which provides a comprehensive data archive, management and visualization solution and Columbus Conductor, that includes all the functionality of Columbus Gallery, plus the ability to analyze or re-analyze HCS data from the Opera or other image data using Acapella™ image analysis software. Acapella runs on the server computer, which means that you can take advantage of the grater processing power and multi-threading technology to run batch processes and obtain much quicker results.

Key features of Columbus:

• Sets the industry standard for image data management – supports a wide range of file formats and utilizes Open Microscopy Environment (OME) technology
• Acts as a central repository for all image data – HCS, microscopy, medical images, etc.
• Forms the bridge between
  • Instruments
  • Image analysis software
  • Screening analysis software
• Include a fast and flexible re-analysis tool for HCS data
• Follows standard client-server architecture – one installation of Columbus can serve an entire laboratory or department for a cost effective solution

For more information about Columbus please visit the product page, or contact us.