Fluxion Biosciences, a company engaged in the research and development of cellular analysis tools and drug discovery applications, has introduced IonFlux Mercury, its second generation automated patch clamp system.

IonFlux Mercury will replace and update the current IonFlux product family. IonFlux systems are used globally in industry and academic laboratories for ligand and voltage gated ion channel screening.

Developed for ion channel drug discovery, the IonFlux automated patch clamp system deploys an advanced in-plate cell attachment, recording and drug delivery system that offers parallel recordings for ligand and voltage-gated channels.

The system also facilitates complicated drug screening assays.

Institutions will use IsoFlux liquid biopsy system and BioFlux cell analysis system in various disease research areas, including cancer, microbiology, and immunology.

The new product line, which will replace and update the existing IonFlux product family, will be directly marketed by Fluxion and its partners.

The IonFlux Mercury will substitute the IonFlux 16, while the IonFlux Mercury HT will replace the IonFlux HT.

Earlier, IonFlux systems were distributed by Molecular Devices.

Its in-plate perfusion feature provides continuous compound flow, helping in assay simplification and speed, including complicated and long assays.

The platform includes new features such as remote and touch screen experiment execution, highly extended recording times, new streamlined fluid exchange, standardized temperature control, and integrated current clamp.

Fluxion IonFlux product vice president Dr Ali Yehia said: "We believe that the new updates to the IonFlux system will greatly enhance all aspects of an otherwise well proven and unique automated patch clamp system.

In September, Fluxion introduced new IsoFlux Cytation Imager, which has been developed to work exclusively with the IsoFlux liquid biopsy system and circulating tumor cells (CTC) enumeration kit.