From: Allen Furst <AFurst@beckman.com>
  To  : rasmb@alpha.bbri.org
  Date: Fri, 24 Mar 2000 11:07:19 -0800

Beckman-Coulter Position on Development of Fluorescence Opticsfor the XLA

We  have been receiving periodic inquiries about the possibility of providing a
fluorescence optical system for the XLA. Beckman-Coulter, Inc currently has no
fluorescence development program, but has supported the development of a
breadboard prototype in the laboratory of Dr. Thomas Laue at the University of
New Hampshire. This device has recently begun to provide experimental results.
BCI has also begun to explore the possiblity of working with a 3rd-party
developer to bring a fluorescence system to market.

The first experimental results from Dr. Laue's breadboard are two months old.
There has been no systematic characterization of potential limitations on
performance, in particular the effects of radially-dependent quenching of the
various available fluorochromes by carrier molecules or other sample components.
The breadboard at UNH can provide this type of characterization.

Since BCI is a for-profit organization, we have tried to study the market to
estimate its potential size. There is clearly a group of current AUC
practitioners who are anxious to obtain fluoresecence optics. They want to look
at high affinity interactions in samples at low concentrations. Other
applications may be made possible by these optics that would create additional
market segments, but these have not yet been demonstrated.

since there may not be a substantial market for this technology, BCI and Dr Laue
have started looking into working with other companies to bring out a
fluorescence system in a reasonable timeframe.

There are many issues to address in establishing such a partnership. Foremost is
the question of warranty. BCI policy 

? driven by safety and cost considerations
-- is that any addition to, or modification of a Beckman centrifuge
will void
the warranty. Any partnership with another manufacturer will have to
be
structured so that we can modify this policy to the customer's
satisfaction.

Throughout the past decade, BCI has supported the innovations in Tom
Laue's
laboratory at UNH with both material and expertise. This partnership
has led to
significant advances for the centrifuge. Whether a fluorescence
optical system
is eventually provided as a BCI product or through a BCI partnership
with
another manufacturer, we hope to continue that relationship. In
addition, we
intend to continue developing AUC technology in Palo Alto, and through
appropriate affiliations with experts in the community, to the level
justified
by the potential market.