Synbiosis Update

SCIENTIFIC DIGITAL IMAGING PLC

("SDI" or "The Group")

SYNBIOSIS INTRODUCES NEW IMAGING ACCESSORY, ProcUV,

AND

IMPROVEMENTS ARE MADE TO ProtoCOL2

SDI, the AIM quoted group focused on the needs of the scientific community, is pleased to update the market regarding recent developments at Synbiosis, a core division of SDI's principal subsidiary Synoptics Ltd. ("Synoptics"), a developer and manufacturer of innovative scientific instruments and systems that exploit digital imaging technology for a range of disciplines.

Highlights

·; ProtoCOL2 automated colony counter has been extensively tested to enable rapid, accurate counts of Legionella on any Legionella detection media

·; ProtoCOL2 upgraded to allow rapid statistical analysis of flu and bacterial vaccine potency and antibiotics susceptibility testing results

·; Synbiosis has introduced ProcUV, a new UV imaging accessory for the ProtoCOL2 system

At Synbiosis, the world-leading manufacturer of automated microbiological systems, the innovative ProtoCOL2 automated colony counter has been extensively tested by the Synbiosis technical team to enable rapid, accurate counts of Legionella on any Legionella detection media. The team found that by using the ProtoCOL2 system, 600Legionella plates could be accurately processed per hour, which is approximately 30 times more than can be achieved using traditional, time consuming, error-prone manual techniques.

The ProtoCOL2 has also been upgraded to allow rapid statistical analysis of flu and bacterial vaccine potency and antibiotics susceptibility testing results. The ProtoCOL2 software has also been upgraded so that numerical data can be automatically transferred into programmes for statistical analysis saving scientists valuable time and preventing transcription errors, as data can be transferred via a single button click rather than manually entered.

Additionally, Synbiosis has introduced ProcUV, its new ultra-violet imaging accessory for the ProtoCOL2 system. ProcUV permits instant imaging of fluorescent colonies and plaques so that they can be automatically counted or analysed by ProtoCOL2, thus saving time and improving accuracy of results.

ProcUV is simple to set up as its automatic exposure time settings ensure users can capture colony images at the touch of a button. The high-quality images can then be directly transferred into the ProtoCOL2 in seconds, where the ProtoCOL2 counts and analyses results automatically, to save microbiologists countless hours of repetitive work.

Commenting on the progress SDI's Chairman, Harry Tee, said:

"Synbiosis' progress with ProcUV and ProtoCOL2 demonstrates that we have risen to the challenge of rapid and accurate quantification of some of the most difficult-to-count colonies. We continue to look at new and innovative ways to improve our product offering to meet the needs of the scientific community."

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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

Scientific Digital Imaging plc 01223 727144

Harry Tee CBE, Chairman

Phil Atkin, CEO

www.scientificdigitalimaging.com 

Bishopsgate Communications 020 7562 3350

Gemma O'Hara

Siobhra Murphy

[email protected] 

Note to Editors

Scientific Digital Imaging plc

SDI plc is focused on the application of digital imaging technology to the needs of the scientific community.

The principal subsidiary is Synoptics, which designs and manufactures special-purpose instruments for use in the life sciences. In October 2008 SDI acquired the entire share capital of Artemis and Perseu, companies (now known as "Atik") that design and manufacture high-sensitivity cameras for both astronomical and life sciences applications and whose products are used in instruments manufactured by Synoptics.

SDI, through its subsidiaries, offers a range of digital imaging solutions and intends to acquire other companies that are capable of contributing one or more key elements to the solutions required including an in-depth understanding of the applications in the marketplace, the ability to engineer complete systems to address such applications and the provision of key, high-performance components such as cameras.www.scientificdigitalimaging.com

Synoptics Ltd

Synoptics develops and manufactures innovative scientific instruments and systems that exploit digital imaging technology for a range of disciplines. Synoptics offers its products through 3 divisions.

·; Syngene - produces equipment for life scientists to image and analyse electrophoresis gels used for DNA and protein analysis.

·; Synbiosis - produces equipment for microbiologists to automate microbial colony counting.

·; Syncroscopy - provides systems which apply digital imaging techniques to microscopy applications, such as life and material sciences.

The Synoptics strategy is to deliver world-class, innovative products that satisfy the real needs of customers in science and industry. It does this by understanding their demands, and using its component technologies and skills in image processing and analysis to engineer appropriate solutions. The Company also seeks to exploit its unique technologies directly, by establishing OEM partnerships with other companies. www.synoptics.co.uk