Prepared for the Future

Anja Schué, Leica Microsystems

How does Leica Microsystems support scientists in their applications?

Besides our innovative products, the excellent qualityof our advice and support is even more important.Our highly qualified sales staff are renowned fortheir in-depth understandingof applications and techniques.Together with scientists, they are constantlyon the look-out for conceptsthat can advance biomedical research. We see ourselvesmore as consultants than as sales reps. On top of  this we regularly support scientific events such asthe 8th Göttingen Meeting of the German Neuroscience Society.

“Together with scientists, we are constantlyon the look-out for concepts that can advancebiomedical research. We see ourselves moreas consultants than as sales reps.”

What innovative technologies does Leica Microsystems have to offer for Life Scienceresearch?

Besides innovative solutions such as STED microscopy,supercontinuum white-light laser or multicolourTIRF, our strength lies in the breadth of ourproduct portfolio. Leica Microsystems offers highendquality for all areas of research: the most powerfulconfocal microscope, the first super zoom 3Dconfocal system for in vivoimaging, our stereomicroscopeswith FusionOptics™or our highly innovative productline in widefield microscopy – and all the systemsare combined by a common software platform.Then there’s our complete product range in samplepreparation and complementary products of thecompanies we have acquired. For example, we offera special vibrotome and a stereotactic system forthe neurosciences.

“I don’t think biomedical research will be toobadly affected by the crisis as it is mainly fundedby the public sector.”

However, we are flexible to integrate products wedon’t make ourselves, ranging from special camerasto specific software solutions. For instance,the Metamorph software we recently added to ourproduct range has made a major contribution towardsthe quantification of microscope images.

What impact do you think the economiccrisis will have on research activities?

I don’t think biomedical research will be too badlyaffected by the crisis as it is mainly funded by thepublic sector. For example, the German governmentgives high priority to investment in research andeducation, as seen by its support for elite universitiesor clusters of excellence. After all, therapiesagainst previously incurable diseases can only bedeveloped if first-class research facilities are available.

So far, we have not seen any signs of large researchinstitutes having less money to spend. Neurosciencesis one of the areas that receive particularly highfunding in order to develop effective therapies fordiseases such as Alzheimer‘s, Parkinson’s, MultipleSclerosis, Creutzfeld-Jakob etc.

On the other hand, the biotechnology business orpharmaceuticals industry could be economic riskareas. It is also uncertain how the budgets of thefederal states will affect planned investments inview of declining tax revenues. We generally knowthat an economic crisis has a delayed effect on publicsector spending. Nevertheless, I always lookto the future with optimism. Leica Microsystems’sales figures overstepped the billion US dollar marklast year – mainly through organic growth, but alsothrough acquisitions. We’re better prepared for thefuture than ever before.