Montpellier Rio Imaging Selects Definiens Technology to Accelerate Image Analysis Processes

Munich, Germany and Montpellier, France – February 25th, 2008 – Montpellier Rio Imaging (MRI), a life science imaging facility located in the Languedoc-Roussillon region of France, has decided to use Definiens technology. The facility is supported by the French Ministry of Scientific Research, CNRS, INSERM, INRA, CIRAD, IRD and Montpellier University and shared by leading French federal research institutes and universities. Scientific personnel from any public or private organizations have access to it. As requirements regarding the quantity and quality of imaging grow, new solutions in image acquisition and analysis are needed. Definiens, the number one Enterprise Image Intelligence™ company, will now provide its key technology for high content image analysis and data management to MRI.

Towards a large scale imaging center for life science applications
With research activities ranging from cancer and neurology to plant science, the Languedoc-Roussillon area is highly acclaimed as a top French life science research and industry center. MRI provides the environment, equipment and expertise necessary for methodological and technical support of projects that necessitate imaging technology in whatever form - optical, electronic, computer processing. The facility is planning to offer its leading edge scientific community a global automated solution for cell-based assays and large-scale histopathology.

High content image analysis and data management solution needed
To complement a recent investment in new image-acquisition devices for the screening of cell culture plates and scanning of histology slides, MRI needed a new high content image analysis and data management solution. Dr. Julien Cau, CNRS engineer, Deputy Manager in Charge of Light Microscopy, at MRI: “Our new devices are performing an amazing job compared to the previous generation, but this kind of technology is pointless if automated, large-scale image analysis can't be performed.“

During the decision-making process regarding the choice of high content image analysis and data management solutions, it became clear that only Definiens meets all the following requirements:
o Speed and performance: With the Definiens image analysis technology, MRI processes will be automated. Definiens Methodology first segmentation and second classification enables researchers to focus on the area of interest – they do not have to analyze the entire slide.
o Flexibility: The Definiens platform was the only single solution MRI considered compatible with specific client requirements regardless of life science research field.
o Processing of high volume files: Definiens is unique in its ability to process many different file formats, especially the high volume files produced by the latest slide scanners. Batch processing and job scheduling capabilities featured in the software enable efficient processing.
o Centralized data management: The platform will be centralized to share information and to run from every unit of the facility, enabling data management across town and borders.
o Integration of MRI’s know-how: The Definiens context-based approach enables MRI to integrate its researchers’ expertise into the software. Thus, invaluable knowledge is not lost and is available for other researchers.

Montpellier Rio Imaging Chief Manager Dr. Pierre Travo is quite confident: “Definiens solutions will play a decisive role in MRI continuous efforts for the development of new services in biological imaging."

Image 1: 16 days Rat embryo (OFA IOPS), Stage 23 (Carnegie Institution classification), 7µm thick Sagittal section, Heidenhain blue staining.

Image: Courtesy of Professor R. Cristol-Gaubert and Professor G. Godlewski, Laboratory of Experimental Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine Montpellier - Nîmes, University Montpellier I, F 30900 Nîmes, France

Image 2: Automatic detection of Meckel's cartilage (Mandibular process). Automatic detection was performed using Definiens solution. Liver, ventriculus lateralis and green stained "dorsal side" were first automatically detected. Bone and cartilage were further detected and the Meckel's cartilage was automatically identified due to its position relative to Liver, Ventriculus lateralis and "Dorsal side”.

Image: Courtesy of Professor R. Cristol-Gaubert and Professor G. Godlewski, Laboratory of Experimental Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine Montpellier - Nîmes, University Montpellier I, F 30900 Nîmes, France

About Montpellier RIO Imaging
Montpellier RIO Imaging is Languedoc – Roussillon (South of France) regional core imaging facility. It was created by the turn of 2003 with the mission to provide expertise and support to any academic or industrial projects (research, RD, quality control, production) that necessitate light and electron microscopy and cytometry and their further processing, reconstruction and analysis. As early as late 2003, MRI planned a general development policy for its equipments aiming at a significant increase in image acquisition productivity and lowering of image unit cost with a specific interest in image acquisition automation and image analysis efficiency (for details see www.mri.cnrs.fr) with an opening towards imaging large size objects.
In 2007, 410 users worked for 35 480 hours in image production and analysis using 43 work stations (light microscopy, cytometry, computers) distributed over 6 sites in Montpellier.

Definiens in Life Sciences
By automating image analysis on an enterprise level, Definiens supports Life Science organizations to analyze and interpret vast numbers of images accurately and consistently. Definiens improves the measurement of cell assays, the examination of tissue samples and the interpretation of non-invasive imaging, enabling high-content screening, digital pathology and translational medicine.

Press contacts:

Lucy Turpin Communications GmbH
Eva Hildebrandt
definiens@lucyturpin.com
+49 (0)89 417761-14

Rene Hermes
Definiens AG
Trappentreustrasse 1
80339 München
Germany
Tel. +49 (0)89 231180-0
Fax +49 (0)89 231180-90
rhermes@definiens.com

About Definiens
Definiens is the number one Enterprise Image Intelligence company for analyzing and interpreting images on every scale, from microscopic cell structures to satellite images. The Definiens Cognition Network Technology®, developed by Nobel laureate Prof. Gerd Binnig and his team, is an advanced and robust context-based technology designed to fulfill the image analysis requirements of the Life and Earth sciences markets. The technology is modeled on the powerful human cognitive perception processes to extract intelligence from images. Definiens provides organizations with faster image analysis results, allowing deeper insights enabling better business decisions. The company is headquartered in Munich, Germany and has offices throughout the United States. Further information is available at www.definiens.com.

Definiens, Definiens Cellenger, Definiens Cognition Network Technology, Definiens eCognition, Enterprise Image Intelligence and Understanding Images are trademarks or registered trademarks of Definiens.

This release was published on openPR.