BioTek

BioTek Instruments, Inc.
Private
Industry Scientific equipment
Founded 1968
Founder Dr. Norman Alpert
Headquarters Winooski, VT, U.S.[1]
Area served
 Worldwide
Key people
 Briar Alpert
Chairman–CEO
Adam Alpert
VP Business Development
Peter Weith
VP Mktg & Sales
Products Microplate instrumentation
Website BioTek web site

BioTek Instruments, Inc. is a privately held Vermont–based manufacturer notable for microplate instrumentation and bio-analytics software for life science.[2] It designs, builds, and sells imaging, detection, washing, liquid dispensing and automation products that are compatible with various microplate formats and other sample vessels. Microplates, sometimes referred to as Microtiter (microtitre) plates, are typically found in flat or round bottom configurations with multiple wells arranged in a rectangular matrix often made of polystyrene or polypropylene.

They are used by medical and scientific researchers for screening and measurement and numerous other purposes by biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, university science departments, clinics, food manufacturers and nonprofits such as the American Red Cross. According to CEO Briar Alpert,[2] BioTek's instruments help researchers in the life sciences, drug research, and disease analysis to better understand biological processes at the cellular and molecular level.[3]

History and Corporate Affairs

ELx405 Microplate Washer from BioTek Instruments.

The firm was founded in 1968 by University of Vermont physiologist Dr.Norman Alpert who developed biomedical testing equipment. The initial focus of the biomedical business was hospital safety and quality assurance with products that included medical safety analyzers, cardiac simulators, and defibrillator testers. In 1981, the firm built its first microplate reader,[4] leading to the creation of BioTek's Laboratory Instrumentation Division. By 1984, it wrote software to log data, which worked on various personal computers including the Apple II Plus and the IBM PC. In 1986, the firm moved R&D and marketing and sales departments to Colchester, Vermont but then moved in 1990 to the Highland Park section of Winooski.[4]

In 2001, Briar Alpert, son of founder Norman Alpert, became president and CEO,[4] and in 2002, the company sold its biomedical division to focus on the laboratory instrumentation business.[4] The company has since expanded with numerous affiliates and offices around the world.

Business model

The company's strategy includes continually reinvesting in the business over the long-term to provide sustainable and consistent growth.[5] This growth includes site expansions and developing operations globally. In addition to direct sales, the company markets, sells and supports their microplate instrumentation through a global network of scientific distributors.

The company also, as many do, engages in product co-development with peer companies. For instance, in 2016 BioTek entered into a co-development agreement with MilliporeSigma focused on "automated cell perfusion and imaging."[6] Additional cooperative arrangements include the University of Vermont, Invitrogen Corporation, Enzo Biochem, Inc., and others.[4]

Facilities

BioTek Instruments headquarters in Winooski, Vermont, USA.

Company headquarters are located in Winooski's Highland Park section, and include several buildings. The site was expanded in 2009, and again in 2017.[3][7]

Employees

The firm has worked hard to attract quality employees, and creates a positive work environment.[8] A family atmosphere and culture of mutual respect, as well as flex time, good benefits, and profit sharing contribute to the average 12+ year tenure of a typical BioTek employee.[1]

BioTek has received a number of local and regional awards, including Best Place to Work in Vermont.[8][9][10][11]

Sustainability

The company implements many initiatives to lessen their environmental impact, and won the 2009 Waste Reduction Award by the Chittenden Solid Waste District (CSWD).[12] Nearby solar array facilities were opened in 2016 and 2017 to provide power to BioTek's headquarters.[4]

Products

BioTek is ISO 13485 certified, and their products fall into multiple categories:

Automated Imagers and Microscopes

Example of a fluorescent image showing sub-cellular details such as nuclei (blue), actin (green) and collagen protein (red) in a chondrocyte differentiated human mesenchymal stem cell spheroid.

Automated imagers and microscopes are especially useful in cell biology studies as they allow users to see cellular and sub-cellular details. Imaging modes can include brightfield, color brightfield, phase contrast, and fluorescence; and automated capabilities during imaging and analysis provide increased convenience and consistency.

Microplate Readers

Microplate readers are used to quantitate a reaction between a sample and reagents in a variety of scientific and clinical disciplines. Many methods are used to detect this reaction, including absorbance, luminescence, fluorescence, fluorescence polarization, time-resolved fluorescence, and TR-FRET. A single-mode reader uses a single detection method, while a multi-mode reader incorporates several methods for increased flexibility.

Microplate Washers

Microplate washers remove reagents from microplate wells during assay wash steps. The rate of removal (aspiration) can range from gentle, for sensitive cell washing, to robust, for standard ELISAs. Specialized microplate washers also exist for bead-based assays using biomagnetic separation or vacuum filtration.

Microplate Dispensers

Microplate dispensers deliver pre-determined fluid volumes to microplate wells using either peristaltic pumps or microprocessor-controlled syringe drives. Peristaltic pumps are used for continuous or semi-continuous liquid dispensing; syringe dispensers are used for precise dispensing in sub-microliter volumes.

Automated Microplate Products

Automated microplate products provide increased speed, flexibility and unattended operation when configured with microplate readers, washers and dispensers. Automated systems can range from processing of a few microplates for low-throughput to hundreds of microplates for high-throughput. They can also be configured to monitor and maintain precise environmental conditions including temperature and gas for cell-based assays.

BioTek’s automated microplate products are designed for mid-throughput needs, and can be combined with BioTek products and many other manufacturers.

Challenges

Competitors include companies such as Beckman Coulter, Molecular Devices, Bio-Rad Laboratories, Turner Biosystems, Tecan, BMG LABTECH, Berthold, and others. Vermont's taxes are relatively high, although the state has provided low-interest loans to BioTek as an incentive for the firm to stay.[13] China presents both a competitive threat as well as an opportunity, according to Alpert.[13] As of 2010, the firm plans to remain in Vermont.[13] Alpert credits the Obama administration for increasing budgets for the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation since they helped fund research universities which are prime customers of BioTek.[2]


References

  1. 1 2 Staff writer, Profile: BioTek Instruments Archived July 17, 2011, at the Wayback Machine., Vermont Economic Development Authority, Jan 1 2008, quote=The elder Alpert, a physiology professor at the University of Vermont, had started the business in a colleague's basement and had guided it to success as a manufacturer of biomedical instruments that test the safety and reliability of machinery used in hospitals..., Retrieved 2010-01-29
  2. 1 2 3 Kevin Kelley, BioTek thrives despite industry difficulties Archived July 17, 2011, at the Wayback Machine., Vermont Business, Jan 15 2010, Retrieved 2010-01-29
  3. 1 2 BioTek Instruments expands world headquarters in Winooski,Vermont Business, Dec 17 2009, quote=The company added 8,000 square feet; effectively increasing the size of its Service department by 50% and housing a new applications laboratory..., Retrieved 2010-01-29
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 BioTek Instruments, BioTek Instruments Web Site, BioTek Instruments, 2010-01-29, Retrieved 2010-01-29
  5. ↑ Staff writer, "High Tech and Customers Needs. A Vermont Success Story", BIOforum Europe, September 2007.
  6. ↑ Staff (15 May 2016). "BioTek and MilliporeSigma Pursue Joint Effort on Live-Cell Experiments". News: Products & Services. Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News (Paper). 36 (10). p. 8.
  7. ↑ Staff writer, , Burlington Free Press, July 18, 2016, Retrieved 2017-07-11
  8. 1 2 Staff writer,NRG and BioTek named Vermont's Best Places to Work,Vermont Economic Development Authority, Apr 2 2009, Retrieved 2010-01-29
  9. ↑ Staff writer, , Vermont Business Magazine, September 16, 2011, Retrieved 2011-09-19
  10. ↑ Staff writer, Biotek Instruments Receives Deane C. Davis Outstanding Vermont Business Award,Vermont Business Magazine, May 26, 2010, Retrieved 2010-10-28
  11. ↑ Staff writer, , Vermont Business Magazine, May 26, 2010, Retrieved 2011-09-19
  12. ↑ BioTek Instruments wins environmental responsibility award, Vermont Business, Jul 22 2009, quote=BioTek Instruments and their Green Team have been recognized by the Chittenden Solid Waste District (CSWD) as winners of the 2009 Waste Reduction Award..., Retrieved 2010-01-29
  13. 1 2 3 Staff writer, Profile: BioTek Instruments Archived July 17, 2011, at the Wayback Machine., Vermont Economic Development Authority, Jan 1 2008, Retrieved 2010-01-29
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