LI-COR Biosciences

LI-COR, Inc.
Company typePrivate
IndustryResearch / Design / Manufacturing
Founded1971
HeadquartersLincoln, NE, U.S.A.
Key people
William Biggs, Founder, Thomas Reslewic, CEO
ProductsScientific Instruments, Measurement Systems and Software for Biological and Environmental Research
WebsiteLI-COR website

LI-COR Biosciences is an international biotech company which designs, manufactures, and markets instruments, measurement systems, and software for biological and environmental research, and develops relevant measurement methodologies and techniques.[1]

Origins and history

LI-COR Biosciences was a privately held company based in Lincoln, Nebraska, until its acquisition by Battery Ventures in 2021.[2] It was founded in 1971 under the name Lambda Instruments Corporation. The name was shortened to LI-COR, Inc., in 1978.

Products and Applications

Biotechnology

A LI-COR LI-7500 and sonic anemometer on an eddy covariance flux monitoring platform.
The LI-7500 (right) is used to measure CO2 and H2O concentrations.

LI-COR biotechnology instruments, software and reagents, which are based on near-infrared fluorescent and chemiluminescent detection, are used in a large variety of assays, such as western blot assays and cell-based assays, as well as in vivo imaging and DNA analysis. Primary applications include cancer research,[3] drug discovery,[4] genomics research,[5] neuroscience, cell biology, and education.

Environmental

LI-COR environmental instruments and software are used for photosynthesis research,[6] greenhouse gas monitoring,[7] greenhouse gas flux measurements,[8] and soil respiration measurements.[9][10] LI-COR also manufactures light sensors, leaf area meters, and plant canopy analyzers,[11] all of which are used to make fundamental measurements in disciplines including plant physiology, climate change, agronomy (forestry and agriculture), and other areas of the natural sciences.

Scientific contributions and recognition

LI-COR automated DNA sequencers were the primary systems used by Genoscope, the French National Sequencing Center to sequence chromosome 14 of the Human Genome Project.

Researchers affiliated with micrometeorological networks around the world use LI-COR carbon dioxide and water vapor analyzers to assess ecosystem greenhouse gas exchange with the eddy covariance technique. These networks include FluxNet and regional networks such as AmeriFlux, ICOS and AsiaFlux.

In 2010, the editors of R&D Magazine selected the LI-7700 Open Path CH4 Analyzer for an R&D 100 Award.[12]

In 2013, the historic benchmark of increase in CO2 concentrations at 400 ppm was reported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration using LI-7000 Closed Path CO2/H2O gas analyzer.[13]

The LI-6400/6400XT Portable Photosynthesis System is the most frequently cited photosynthesis system in peer-reviewed scientific literature.[14]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Lincoln-based Li-Cor keeps evolving after 45 years as a leader in biosciences". Omaha World Herald. 2016-01-08. Retrieved 2016-09-07.
  2. ^ "Battery Ventures Acquires Analytical-Instrumentation Pioneer LI-COR Biosciences". Business Wire. 2021-12-08. Retrieved 2022-03-05.
  3. ^ Li, Yiwei; Ahmed, F.; Ali, S.; Philip, P. A.; Kucuk, O.; Sarkar, F. H. (2005). "Inactivation of nuclear factor kB by soy isoflavone genistein contributes to increased apoptosis induced by chemotherapeutic agents in human cancer cells". Cancer Research. 65 (15): 6934–6942. doi:10.1158/0008-5472.can-04-4604. PMID 16061678.
  4. ^ Li, Yiwei; Ellis, K. L.; Ali, S.; El-Rayes, B.; Nedeljkovic-Kurepa, A.; Kucuk, O.; Philip, P. A.; Sarkar, F. H. (2004). "Apoptosis-inducing effect of chemotherapeutic agents is potentiated by soy isoflavone genistein, a natural inhibitor of NF-[kappa]B in BxPC-3 pancreatic cancer cell line". Pancreas. 28 (4): 90–95. doi:10.1097/00006676-200405000-00020. PMID 15097869. S2CID 12237431.
  5. ^ Liu, Z.; Attila, K.; Ping, L.; Dongfeng, C.; Dunham, R. (2003). "An AFLP-based genetic linkage map of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) construction by using an interspecific hybrid resource family". Genetics. 165 (2): 689–694. doi:10.1093/genetics/165.2.687. PMC 1462775. PMID 14573480.
  6. ^ Bernacchi, C. J.; Singsaas, E. L.; Pimental, C.; Portis, Jr.; Long, S. P. (2004). "Improved temperature response functions for models of Rubisco-limited photosynthesis". Plant, Cell & Environment. 24 (2): 253–259. doi:10.1111/j.1365-3040.2001.00668.x.
  7. ^ Luo, Y.; Wan, S.; Hui, D.; Wallace, L. L. (2001). "Acclimatization of soil respiration to warming in a tall grass prairie". Nature. 413 (6856): 622–625. Bibcode:2001Natur.413..622L. doi:10.1038/35098065. PMID 11675783. S2CID 4427793.
  8. ^ Ohkubo, S.; Kosugi, Y.; Takahashi, S.; Mitani, T.; Tani, M. (2006). "Comparison of the eddy covariance and automated closed chamber methods for evaluating nocturnal CO2 exchange in Japanese cypress forest". Agricultural and Forest Meteorology. 142: 50–65. doi:10.1016/j.agrformet.2006.11.004.
  9. ^ Liu, W.; Zhang, Z.; Wan, S. (2008). "Predominant role of water in regulating soil and microbial respiration and their responses to climate change in a semiarid grassland". Global Change Biology. 15: 184–195. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2486.2008.01728.x. S2CID 86013088.
  10. ^ Vargas, R.; Allen, M. F. (2008). "Environmental controls and the influence of vegetation type, fine roots and rhizomorphs on diel and seasonal variation in soil respiration" (PDF). New Phytologist. 179 (2): 460–471. doi:10.1111/j.1469-8137.2008.02481.x. PMID 19086292.
  11. ^ Welles, J. M.; Cohen, S. (1996). "Canopy structure measurement by gap fraction analysis using commercial instrumentation". Journal of Experimental Botany. 47 (9): 1335–1342. doi:10.1093/jxb/47.9.1335.
  12. ^ "Keeping tabs on methane | R&D; Mag". Archived from the original on 2011-01-06. Retrieved 2010-12-23.
  13. ^ "LI-COR instruments established historic climate news". Lincoln Journal Star. 2013-05-16. Retrieved 2016-09-07.
  14. ^ "Physiological and Genetics Section Announcement". Botany.org. 2007-11-15. Retrieved 2016-09-07.