Amersham Biosciences and Geneva Bioinformatics have signed an agreement to provide researchers with what they claim is the "next generation of 2-D gel image analysis tools for proteomics research."
Under the terms of the deal, the two companies will integrate the Melanie 2-D Gel analysis package, developed by the Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, into the ImageMaster image analysis software platform sold by Amersham for protein research.
The new version of ImageMaster, incorporating Melanie, will help to address the current critical bottlenecks of image analysis in proteomics research by enhancing the speed and accuracy of the software, particularly with regard to statistical analyses.
The two companies and the SIB intend to continue development work on the Melanie software and provide additional upgrades to Amersham's ImageMaster product.
This agreement expands on a strategic alliance between the two companies, signed in January 2003, to develop and distribute novel proteomics analysis software, databases and training tools.