Harvard Bioscience Subsidiary Multi Channel Systems Launches Beta Cell Screening System for Diabetes Research, Entering New Segment of Electrophysiology Market

HOLLISTON, Mass., May 01, 2018 -- Multi Channel Systems (MCS), a subsidiary of Harvard Bioscience, Inc., launched its Beta Cell-System, a new, non-invasive beta cell screening system for diabetes research.

The Beta Cell-System leverages MCS’s multi electrode array (MEA) technology to take non-invasive measurements from intact islets of Langerhans. It opens a new route to support the development of new drugs for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, as well as to elucidate beta cell pathophysiology e.g. during the progression of diabetes.  Glucose-dependent electrical oscillatory activity in beta cells within islets of Langerhans is important for understanding their physiology and pathophysiology.

“We believe that our Beta Cell-System will help researchers make strides in finding new diabetes treatments and gain further insights into this disease by providing advantages to support disease progression studies and new drug development,” said Jeffrey Duchemin, President and CEO of Harvard Bioscience. “With this product, MCS enters a new segment of the electrophysiology market.”

Key advantages of the Beta Cell-System include:

• Non-invasive method enables long-term in vitro research 

• Simpler experimental handling and higher throughput than conventional methods compatible with the needs of academic and industrial laboratories 

• Easier and faster to use than conventional, invasive methods such as patch-clamp and recording with intracellular electrodes 

• Measurements from intact islets 

• Suitable for diabetes research including drug development 


Focused on the needs of academic and industrial laboratories, the Beta Cell-System is available in two configurations to support either long-term studies within an incubator or fast, medium throughput screening applications.

The electrophysiology division of Harvard Bioscience, operating under the umbrella name “Smart Ephys,” consists of its subsidiaries Multi Channel Systems, HEKA Elektronik, Triangle BioSystems and Warner Instruments. These product brands collectively offer complete solutions for in vitro and in vivo electrophysiology.

The World Health Organization estimates that diabetes affects more than 420 million people worldwide.

For more details about the Beta Cell-System, please visit www.beta-screen.com. For more details about Harvard Bioscience’s Smart Ephys division, please visit www.smart-ephys.com.

About Harvard Bioscience

Harvard Bioscience is a global developer, manufacturer and marketer of a broad range of solutions to advance life science. Our products are sold to thousands of researchers in over 100 countries through our global sales organization, websites, catalogs, and through distributors including Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., VWR, GE Healthcare, and other specialized distributors. We have sales and manufacturing operations in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, Spain, France, Canada and China. For more information, please visit our website at www.harvardbioscience.com.

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