Pacific Biosciences and Leuven, Belgium-based nanoelectronics research center imec have announced a multiyear research collaboration focused on the development of advanced microchips for highly multiplexed single-molecule genetic analysis. The research will build on Pacific Biosciences’ proprietary zero-mode waveguide (ZMW) technology and imec’s experience in nanophotonics, CMOS sensors, technology integration and fabrication. “From our inception we have been committed to exploiting the potential of the unique capabilities of our ZMW-based single-molecule, real-time (SMRT) analysis technology to drive innovation in the life sciences,” said Michael Hunkapiller, president and CEO of Pacific Biosciences. “The goal of this collaboration is to harness the power of microchips to scale the capacity and throughput of our SMRT technology.” Pacific Biosciences offers the PacBio RS high-resolution genetic analyzer to help scientists solve genetically complex problems. For more information, visit: www.pacb.com or www.imec.be