BioTek Instruments extends congratulations to Dr. Benjamin R. King as this year’s recipient of the Norman R. Alpert Research Prize.

The honor, which includes an engraved plaque and cash award, was announced at the Larner College of Medicine Research Day event held at The University of Vermont (UVM) on October 30, 2018.

Dr. King is a 2018 graduate in the UVM Department of Medicine, and under the mentorship of Dr. Jason Botten, he developed a high-throughput, single molecule fluorescent in situ hybridization (smFISH) assay to quantitate arenavirus RNA in individual rodent cells at distinct time points following infection. His research was recently published in the Journal of Virology in a paper entitled, “Visualization of Arenavirus RNA Species in Individual Cells by Single-Molecule Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization Suggests a Model of Cyclical Infection and Clearance during Persistence” (DOI: 10.1128/JVI.02241-17).

BioTek Instruments sponsors the annual Norman R. Alpert Research Prize at UVM, named after the company’s founder, who also served as Professor and Chair of the UVM Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics for almost thirty years. The award honors Dr. Alpert’s legacy of encouraging and mentoring young scientists at the University. Nominated UVM students and their published manuscripts are evaluated for research quality, originality, creativity and impact on the respective field by a UVM faculty-based committee.

“Dr. King demonstrates the great skill and scientific curiosity that Norman sought to develop among all of his mentees; he would be proud,” remarked BioTek’s President and CEO, Briar Alpert. “The entire company extends its heartfelt congratulations to him, and we look forward to following his research discoveries and scientific contributions throughout his career.”

BioTek Instruments, Inc., headquartered in Winooski, VT, USA, is a worldwide leader in the design, manufacture, and distribution of innovative life science instrumentation. Our comprehensive product line includes cell imaging systems, microplate readers, washers, dispensers, automated incubators, stackers and pipetting systems. These products enable life science research by providing high performance, cost-effective analysis and quantification of biomolecules, biomolecular interactions and cellular structure and function across diverse applications. BioTek espouses a "Think Possible" approach that sets the tone for fresh ideas, unsurpassed customer service and original innovations.

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