Bruker Daltonics, a Billerica, Mass., subsidiary of Bruker BioSciences, and Isis Pharmaceuticals of Carlsbad, Calif., have announced a strategic alliance. Bruker Daltonics will be the exclusive worldwide manufacturer of the Ibis T5000 biosensor system, which incorporates Bruker's micrOTOF ESI-TOF mass spectrometer. Developed by the Ibis Biosciences division, the biosensor uses the Triangulation Identification for the Genetic Evaluation of Risks (T.I.G.E.R.) methodology, which is a combination of genomics, mathematical modeling, mass spectrometry and molecular amplification, to generate a "fingerprint" of each bacterium or virus, allowing it to identify virtually any bacteria or virus present in a sample. It can also rapidly identify or classify organisms that are newly emerging, genetically altered or unculturable. The biosensor is currently designated for research use only and has not been approved for any regulated uses, including in vitro diagnostics. Bruker Daltonics will also be responsible for order processing, system installations and service in North America, Europe and the Middle East. In Europe and the Middle East, it will have exclusive rights to sell Ibis T5000 systems and Ibis infectious organism identification kits for various government applications, and nonexclusive rights to sell to other customers, including clinical, pharmaceutical and academic researchers for other applications except diagnostics. Outside of Bruker Daltonics' exclusive market, Isis may sell Ibis T5000s and its infectious organism identification kits.