New bioanalytical methods have potential for investigative and screening applications

The Springer journal Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry (ABC) has chosen Jean-Philippe Frimat (29) as the recipient of its Best Paper Award 2009. Frimat is the lead author of a paper in ABC on plasma stencilling methods for cell patterning.

The award, accompanied by 1,000 euros, was created by Springer to help exceptional young scientists establish their research careers. The ABC Best Paper Award has been given since 2005.

Frimat's research interests are focused on the development of cell patterning techniques and analytical methods for quantitative cell biology. This approach enables cell biology assays to be spatially standardized with high reproducibility. Frimat's paper describes plasma stencilling methodologies for the universal patterning of cell lines on polymeric substrates. The simplicity and speed of the atmospheric pressure air plasma approach makes this technique readily accessible to cell biologists for the development of new bioanalytical methods. The knowledge gained from the plasma stencilling approach is now being widely used to address topics ranging from fundamental cell biology investigations to high throughput screening applications.

Jean-Philippe Frimat completed his undergraduate degree in medical microbiology (BSc Hons) at the University of Edinburgh, UK, and afterwards gained his MSc in immunology and immunogenetics at the University of Manchester, UK. His interests in biomedicine, and the life sciences in general, coupled with a growing interest in microtechnologies led him to the Institute for Analytical Sciences in Dortmund, Germany, where he is undertaking a PhD in the Miniaturisation Department.

Dr. Sylvia Daunert, Editor of Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, said, "The cell patterning method based on plasma stencilling developed by Jean-Philippe Frimat and co-workers will undoubtedly enable biologists to mimic biological cell surfaces, allowing for cellular morphology studies as well as development of novel methodologies for quantitative determination of cellular components. The method should find applications not only in cellular analysis, but also help in the differentiation between normal and diseased cells. The extraordinary quality of the manuscripts competing for this year's Best Paper Award further highlights the research achievements of Jean-Philippe Frimat."

Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry is an international journal dealing with all aspects of analytical and bioanalytical sciences. The journal covers all fields of pure and applied analytical chemistry and bioanalysis, including topics at their interfaces with life and health sciences, engineering and materials sciences, environmental science, earth sciences and others. With a 16 percent rise of the Impact Factor to 3.328, ABC now belongs to the Top 10 journals in the ISI category "Chemistry, Analytical" for 2008.

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