In April, Veeco Instruments appointed Jeannine M. Sargent, executive vice president of Metrology and Instrumentation, Corporate Marketing and Business Development, as executive vice president, Business Development.

Under a collaboration agreement, Veeco and Leica Microsystems GmbH will integrate their respective BioScope II atomic force microscope (AFM) and DMI series inverted microscope for cell biology applications.

Veeco named John R. Peeler, formerly president of JDSU’s Communications Test and Measurement, CEO in May. Former CEO Edward H. Braun will remain chairman.

In May, Leica opened its 12th European direct sales subsidiary in Belgium. All former employees of Leica’s Belgian distributor, Van Hopplynus Instruments SA, have transferred to the subsidiary.

Max Planck Innovation GmbH signed a coexclusive licensing agreement with Leica and Carl Zeiss Microimaging GmbH for the RESOLFT (Reversible Saturable Optical Fluorescent Transitions) technology, a method providing molecular-scale resolution with visible light and regular lenses for use in microscopy.

In April, Millbrook Scientific Instruments named Paul Grasske Chief Executive.

JEOL USA and Harvard University are collaborating to map the mouse brain using high-resolution scanning electron microscope (SEM) images.

In May, FEI named Benjamin Loh executive vice president, Worldwide Sales and Service. He was formerly executive vice president, Global Field Operations, for Veeco.

Carl Zeiss MicroImaging GmbH’s revenues declined 5% to €161 million ($214.7 million) in the first half of fiscal 2007 ended March 31.

In May, Nanometrics sold the Yosemite CD-SEM metrology assets and technology to SNU Precision.