Abcam plc
Encyclopedia
Abcam plc is a UK biotech
company based in the Cambridge Science Park
in Cambridge
, England, with offices in Boston MA
, San Francisco, Hong Kong and Tokyo.
The premise of the company was incubated from a laboratory in the University of Cambridge, UK in 1998. The principal founder Jonathan Milner was working as a Post-Doctoral researcher studying the newly discovered breast cancer protein BRCA2
in Professor Tony Kouzarides' laboratory. The project slowed because of problems finding quality antibody reagents that had honest and up to date information about their uses and limitations. This scenario provided the motivation to form an on-line service, that would help themselves and researchers across the globe.
The company was founded by David Cleevely
, Jonathan Milner, and Tony Kouzarides in 1998, and has become one of the largest retailers of research antibodies in the world. Kouzarides invented the name, which is a portmanteau of antibody (ab) and Cambridge (cam). The idea was that Abcam would not only sell antibodies, but provide a high degree of scientific information and characterisation information associated with each antibody, such as Western blot
images, and immunohistochemistry.
Since its inception in 1998, the company has diversified from carrying only antibodies and now supplies antibody-related products such as peptides and equipment.
Abcam is very much a life-science e-commerce company which facilitates public customer feedback on products
using reviews and ratings which customers can submit. This has given rise to the nickname "the Amazon
of antibodies"
Abcam is also listed on the London Stock Exchange
.
In May 2011 Abcam announced the acquisition of MitoSciences. MitoSciences was a privately held biotech company based in Eugene, Oregon (US). The Company produce and distribute immunoassay platforms and high performance monoclonal antibodies. It was founded in 2004 with the mission of advancing mitochondrial research and developing products that support critical research in cancer, neurodegeneration and metabolic disorders.
Biotechnology
Biotechnology is a field of applied biology that involves the use of living organisms and bioprocesses in engineering, technology, medicine and other fields requiring bioproducts. Biotechnology also utilizes these products for manufacturing purpose...
company based in the Cambridge Science Park
Cambridge Science Park
The Cambridge Science Park, founded by Trinity College in 1970, is the oldest science park in the United Kingdom. It is a concentration of science and technology related businesses, and has strong links with the nearby University of Cambridge....
in Cambridge
Cambridge
The city of Cambridge is a university town and the administrative centre of the county of Cambridgeshire, England. It lies in East Anglia about north of London. Cambridge is at the heart of the high-technology centre known as Silicon Fen – a play on Silicon Valley and the fens surrounding the...
, England, with offices in Boston MA
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, San Francisco, Hong Kong and Tokyo.
The premise of the company was incubated from a laboratory in the University of Cambridge, UK in 1998. The principal founder Jonathan Milner was working as a Post-Doctoral researcher studying the newly discovered breast cancer protein BRCA2
BRCA2
BRCA2 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the BRCA2 gene.BRCA2 orthologs have been identified in most mammals for which complete genome data are available....
in Professor Tony Kouzarides' laboratory. The project slowed because of problems finding quality antibody reagents that had honest and up to date information about their uses and limitations. This scenario provided the motivation to form an on-line service, that would help themselves and researchers across the globe.
The company was founded by David Cleevely
David Cleevely
David Cleevely is an entrepreneur and international telecoms expert who has built and advised many companies, principally in Cambridge, UK.- Telecommunications :...
, Jonathan Milner, and Tony Kouzarides in 1998, and has become one of the largest retailers of research antibodies in the world. Kouzarides invented the name, which is a portmanteau of antibody (ab) and Cambridge (cam). The idea was that Abcam would not only sell antibodies, but provide a high degree of scientific information and characterisation information associated with each antibody, such as Western blot
Western blot
The western blot is a widely used analytical technique used to detect specific proteins in the given sample of tissue homogenate or extract. It uses gel electrophoresis to separate native proteins by 3-D structure or denatured proteins by the length of the polypeptide...
images, and immunohistochemistry.
Since its inception in 1998, the company has diversified from carrying only antibodies and now supplies antibody-related products such as peptides and equipment.
Abcam is very much a life-science e-commerce company which facilitates public customer feedback on products
using reviews and ratings which customers can submit. This has given rise to the nickname "the Amazon
Amazon.com
Amazon.com, Inc. is a multinational electronic commerce company headquartered in Seattle, Washington, United States. It is the world's largest online retailer. Amazon has separate websites for the following countries: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan, and...
of antibodies"
Abcam is also listed on the London Stock Exchange
London Stock Exchange
The London Stock Exchange is a stock exchange located in the City of London within the United Kingdom. , the Exchange had a market capitalisation of US$3.7495 trillion, making it the fourth-largest stock exchange in the world by this measurement...
.
In May 2011 Abcam announced the acquisition of MitoSciences. MitoSciences was a privately held biotech company based in Eugene, Oregon (US). The Company produce and distribute immunoassay platforms and high performance monoclonal antibodies. It was founded in 2004 with the mission of advancing mitochondrial research and developing products that support critical research in cancer, neurodegeneration and metabolic disorders.
External links
- Abcam website
- http://www.cambridgenetwork.co.uk/directory/orgprofile/default.aspx?objid=4620Cambridge NetworkCambridge NetworkThe Cambridge Network is a commercial business networking organisation for business people and academics working in technology fields in the Cambridge area of the UK...
profile]