About LUMICKS

History

LUMICKS_aboutLUMICKS is a recent spin-off, rooted in the research groups led by Prof. Gijs Wuite and Prof. Erwin Peterman at the VU University Amsterdam, bringing to market the revolutionary C-Trap Correlative Tweezers-Fluorescence Microscope (CTFM). This enables the disruptive technique of live imaging of dynamic protein – nucleic acid interactions at the single molecule level.

Currently a team of Optical, Mechanical, Electronic and software engineers is manufacturing the first commercial CTFM systems, and works on continuous product improvements.

Mission

LUMICKS creates for the first time the ability to observe DNA-protein interactions in real-time, at the single-molecule level, and under near-physiological conditions. Understanding genetic processes at the molecular level is key for prevention and cure of Cancer and other genetic disorders.

Live observation at the molecular level is game changing, and the LUMICKS start-up aims to make this technology available to create a better world.

Products

Super C-Trap

C-Trap

u-Flux

AFS
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The world’s first instrument capable of obtaining super-resolved images of fluorescently labeled proteins on DNA. Super-resolution Correlative Tweezers-Fluorescence Microscopy (SR-CTFM) was pioneered by the founders of LUMICKS in 2013, and is now available from LUMICKS as a commercial product. The C-Trap combines multi-color scanning confocal microscopy with high-resolution optical tweezers and microfluidics into a single, integrated and easy-to-use instrument. Fluorescent molecules interacting with optically trapped biomolecules can be visualized with single-molecule localization and sensitivity. u-Flux, LUMICKS’ proprietary design and work-flow for single-molecule applications and robust laminar flow liquid handling. Flow-cells are entirely made of glass, easy to use and reusable. Connectors and electronic controller for pressure valves and pressure sensor are included. AFS is the first fast and easy-to-use instrument for highly parallel single-molecule manipulation and measurement. The technology is based on a cost effective lab-on-chip device in which ultrasonic waves exert piconewton forces on thousands of biomolecules in parallel.