Competition features both high-content analysis and high- and super-resolution microscopy cell images for the first time. Life scientists encouraged to share cell images with friends and family as an insight into their work.

CHALFONT ST GILES, UK – 22 November 2012 – GE Healthcare Life Sciences, a business unit of GE Healthcare GE (NYSE: GE), today announced that voting for the 2012 Cell Imaging Competition is now open at gelifesciences.com/cellimagecompetition.

Scientists and the wider public are invited to choose their favourite image in two shortlist categories – high-content analysis and high- and super-resolution microscopy – chosen from images submitted by researchers worldwide. Their selection can be made on any basis, whether it is the beauty of the image, the type of research involved, or the technical skills required to generate it. The winners will be invited to see their images displayed on NBC’s high definition screen in Times Square, New York.

The judging panel which shortlists the images is drawn from past winners, academia, editors of peer reviewed journals, and GE scientists. This year the panel comprised:

• Dr Christine Nybo, Assistant Editor, BioTechniques
• Dr Julian Heath, Editor, Microscopy & Analysis
• Dr Leslie Caron, Research Scientist, Genea Stem Cells (and a winner in 2011)
• Dr Nick Thomas, Principal Scientist, Cell Technologies, GE Healthcare
• Dr Paul Goodwin, Science Director, Applied Precision, part of Cell Technologies, GE Healthcare

Dr Amr Abid, General Manager of Cell Technologies, GE Healthcare Life Sciences, said, “High-content and super-resolution cell imaging are pioneering technologies that help scientists explore the universe of the cell, to better understand complex cellular mechanisms, and advance the understanding of disease processes. Whether it is the aesthetics or the science that draws people in, we hope that both scientists and the wider public will be inspired and informed by this year’s images.”

View the shortlisted images and vote for your favourite at www.gelifesciences.com/cellimagecompetition