Another Patent Licensed for PAL-M Super-resolution Technology

JENA/Germany, 03.02.2011. The United States Patent and Trademark Office has granted Dr. Eric Betzig and Dr. Harald Hess another patent for their invention of super-resolution localization microscopy. In 2007, the microscopy from Carl Zeiss received the exclusive rights to market the technology.

Together with the previously issued patents (U.S. 7,626,694, U.S. 7,828,695, U.S. 7,626,703 and U.S. 7,782,457) substantial systems and methods of super-resolution microscopy are now protected. These methods are based on the separation and localization of molecules to achieve resolution beyond the Abbe resolution limit.

U.S. Patent 7,864,314, published January 4 2011, expands the patent protection to systems and methods utilizing separation by photo-optical transformation of molecules between different energy states. For example, only a few molecules can be activated from a dark state and then localized, or almost all molecules can be transformed into a dark state and the few remaining ones are localized.

Actin staining of a fibroblast by phaloidin- Alexa647. The inset shows the structure super- resolved.

This technology expands the ways in which classical dyes can be used for applications in super-resolution microscopy.

This recent patent further confirms the innovative power of Dr. Eric Betzig and Dr. Harald Hess and strengthens further the position of the Carl Zeiss MicroImaging GmbH in the field of super-resolution.

Dr. Betzig and Hess add, “We are pleased that the patent office has recognized the breadth of our concept, including how different classes of optical labels can be used to achieve the condition for super-resolution imaging with localization microscopy”

For more information about PAL-M visit www.zeiss.de/elyra

Carl Zeiss
The Carl Zeiss Group is a leading group of companies operating worldwide in the optical and opto-electronic industries. Carl Zeiss offers innovative solutions for the future-oriented markets of Medical and Research Solutions, Industrial Solutions, Eye Care and Lifestyle Products. During fiscal year 2009/10 the group of companies generated revenues of around EUR 2.98 billion. From fiscal year 2010/11 onward, eyeglass lens manufacturer Carl Zeiss Vision will be integrated as an autonomous business group (revenues of EUR 880 million in fiscal year 2009/10). The Carl Zeiss Group now has approximately 24,000 employees, including more than 10,000 in Germany. The Carl Zeiss business groups hold leading positions in their markets. Carl Zeiss AG, Oberkochen, is fully owned by the Carl Zeiss Stiftung (Carl Zeiss Foundation).

Carl Zeiss MicroImaging
Carl Zeiss MicroImaging GmbH comprises the Microscopy Group of Carl Zeiss. Carl Zeiss MicroImaging is one of the leading manufacturers of microscope systems and offers total solutions for biomedical research, the healthcare sector and high-tech industries. Its product line spans a broad spectrum from light microscopes and systems for laser scanning microscopy and spectrometry to hardware and software for image processing and documentation. Carl Zeiss MicroImaging GmbH is headquartered in Jena, Germany. Other manufacturing and development sites are located in Goettingen and Munich. In fiscal year 2009/10 the Microscopy Group at Carl Zeiss generated revenues of approximately EUR 397 million with a global workforce of around 1,700 people.

Further information is available at:

www.zeiss.de/micro