Shimadzu has announced that it has been participating in a Japan-UK industry-academia-government project led by Tokyo Electron, aimed at developing technologies for automatic cell cultivation and inspection processes ("Smart Cell Processing Project"), in which its cell analysis method is utilized.

The cell analysis method, developed by the company, allows simultaneous analysis of the 95 components contained in pluripotent stem cell culture solutions in only 17 minutes, using a high-performance liquid chromatograph-mass spectrometer.

With this method, Shimadzu is contributing to the establishment of quality control technology for pluripotent stem cells. The development of this method indicates Shimadzu's full entry into the cell analysis business.

In its medium-term management plan (for FY 2014 through FY 2016), Shimadzu has identified lifescience innovation as one of its key business strategies, and has been focusing especially on cell (iPS, ES cells, etc.) analysis business.

This method has already been commercialized and Shimadzu is now releasing the LC/MS/MS method package Cell Culture Profiling. This product allows simultaneous analysis of a wide range of components contained in culture media, including trace components, such as vitamins and polyamines, and components contained in high concentrations, such as glucose and glutamine, using the same vial.

Tokyo Electron has been promoting the Smart Cell Processing Project, which aims at establishing and standardizing technology for smart cell processing for cultivating high-quality stem cells, applying Tokyo Electron's existing cleaning and processing technologies. This project involves 15 partner companies having various technologies.