DNA-Purification Kit Enables high yields of total DNA Qiagen Inc has developed DNeasy® blood and tissue kits for DNA purification from animal samples in spin-column and 96-well-plate formats. Protocols for specific sample types provide reproducible purification of high-quality DNA for life science, genotyping, and veterinary pathogen research applications. The DNeasy procedure is able to produce high yields of total DNA from animal blood and tissue samples. DNeasy mini spin columns are prepackaged in collection tubes and individually sealed. Most samples can be directly lysed with proteinase K, eliminating the need for mechanical disruption. Silica-membrane technology allows for reproducible DNA purification without organic extraction and alcohol precipitation. Protocols may also generate high yields from nonstandard samples, such as animal hair, cultured cells, fixed tissues, or Gram-positive and negative bacteria. Specialized protocols are also available online for DNA purification from yeast, insects, hair, and other sample types.
ULS Amplification and Labeling Kits For use on CombiMatrix microarrays Kreatech Biotech BV has expanded its gene-expression product line to incorporate ULS amplification and labeling kits for specific use on CombiMatrix microarrays for all of Kreatech’s current aRNA labeling kits and RNA ampULSe amplification and labeling kits. The new formats are aimed at providing more specific kit formulations to CombiMatrix® platform customers. Kreatech has made several different formats available to offer additional options. These include two color formats with Cy3 and Cy5, one color format with either Cy3 or Cy5, and kits with biotin ULS with the option of Streptavidin Phycoerythrin (SA-PE) detection reagent included. SA-PE is a conjugate between streptavidin (binds to biotin) and phycoerythrin (bright fluorescent protein) that is used for the detection of biotin-labeled samples. The new CombiMatrix formats offer the same ULS technology and protocol in a kit that is more suited to customers that work with CombiMatrix gene-expression microarrays. While these kits are formatted for use on CombiMatrix microarrays, ULS is platform-independent and will work on all fluorescent and biotin platforms. Kreatech’s ULS technology relies on the special binding properties of platinum to form coordinative bonds with biomolecules by binding to specific sites on DNA, RNA, and proteins. In this way, ULS acts as a “molecular glue” for DNA.
Monoclonal Antibody Breast cancer tumor marker BioGenex Inc anti-breast cancer tumor marker (CA-15-3) antibody (Clone BGX323A) is designed for the specific localization of CA-15-3 antigen in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections that are used in IHC applications. Antigenic determinants for the glycoprotein CA-15-3 (Cancer Antigen 15-3) may be found on membrane or membranous components of milk-fat globules and mammary cancer cells that have metastasized to the liver. CA-15-3 has been used as a marker in the follow-up of patients with advanced breast cancer. This antigen has also been found in Paget’s cells of patients with mammary and extramammary Paget’s disease. The antibody stains CA-15-3 antigen in cytoplasm of breast carcinoma cells. BioGenex offers anti-CA-15-3 in concentrated form and as a ready-to-use reagent for manual use. The antibody has been optimized for use with the BioGenex Super Sensitive™ ready-to-use detection systems.
IgG Hybridoma Antibody Screening Kits Can be used on plate-based benchtop flow cytometer Guava Technologies Inc has introduced the RapidQuant™ IgG kits, a new line of quantitative bead-based kits designed to quantify either mouse or human IgG antibody (Immunoglobulin G) during hybridoma screening. The RapidQuant IgG kits bring a different approach to antibody quantitation by allowing assessments to be performed on a plate-based benchtop flow cytometer instead of traditional plate readers. The kits are available for both human and mouse antibodies, with simplified protocols that require minor sample manipulation and less time than traditional ELISA protocols. Additionally, the kits are optimized for use on the Guava EasyCyte™ system.
Oncogene Mutation Test Kit For the detection of T790M mutations on the EGFR gene Lung cancer patients who have acquired gene mutations associated with resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors, such as Iressa or Tarceva, now can be identified using a new mutation test kit from DxS Inc. Designed to detect the T790M mutation in 20 of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene, the new assay will allow drug developers to investigate its reported association with acquired resistance and can act as a tool to predict drug response. Using DxS’s ARMS™ allele-specific PCR and its Scorpions™ quantitative real-time signalling system, the new assay can detect mutant copies in as little as 1% of the sample. The new assay can also test DNA extracted from various samples, such as paraffin-embedded tumors and blood. Intended as a research tool, the T790M quantitative mutation assay detects the presence of a mutant thymidine base in a background of normal cytosine bases at position 2369 of the EGFR gene. It is presented as two real-time PCR assays: one detects the mutant base; the other acts as a control by quantifying the EGFR gene. Results are semiquantitative and provide an approximate determination of the percentage of mutant T790M in the sample.
Online Cell-Monitoring System For in vitro profiling of metabolic activity Bionas GmbH has launched a device for in vitro profiling the metabolic activity of cells to understand cellular function. Bionas® 2500 is a benchtop instrument that measures multiple metabolic parameters simultaneously like acidification, oxygen consumption, and adhesion of living cells for high quality and predictive safety pharmacology studies during preclinical phases of drug discovery. The label-free and noninvasive live cell-based assay employs sensor chips that replace the conventional bottom of culture wells. Various cell types including primary cells have been successfully tested. The readout is carried out continuously over long periods of time and can be watched online, revealing a deeper insight into cellular function than possible with endpoint-based assays. Regeneration effects can also be monitored. Bionas 2500 analyzing system closely mimics the in vivo situation and aids compound selection during preclinical phases of drug discovery, reduces needless animal studies, and saves money due to reduction of development time. Main applications include drug profiling, lead optimization, early toxicology programs, ADME/Tox, chemosensitivity testing, toxicological testing of chemical substances (REACH), and cell culture monitoring/optimization.
qPCR Reagent Kits Features a double-stranded DNA binding dye Invitrogen has announced the availability of its SYBR® GreenER™ qPCR reagent kits. The kits are designed for use in assays that detect gene-expression levels, validate microarray data, and verify gene knockdown from RNAi experiments, among other applications. SYBR GreenER qPCR reagents feature a double-stranded DNA binding dye with an excitation/emission spectrum nearly identical to SYBR Green dye. However, the SYBR GreenER reagents produce brighter fluorescence and less PCR reaction inhibition, thereby increasing the sensitivity of the qPCR assay.
Polyclonal Antibody BRCA1 stains paraffin tissue sections BioGenex anti-BRCA1 antibody is designed for the specific localization of BRCA1 antigen in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections that are used in IHC applications. The BRCA1 gene was discovered as a region on chromosome 17q21 that has a high frequency of mutation in families predisposed to breast cancer. Specific mutations and variability in expression have been identified and characterized, including the founder mutation 185delAg in Askenazi Jewish families. The sequence of the BRCA1 gene product is unique from known families of proteins, except for a leucine zipper motif, which is probably involved in DNA binding. BRCA1 functions as a tumor suppressor by mechanisms not yet understood. It has recently been suggested that BRCA1 might induce apoptosis similar to the gatekeeper function of the p53 tumor suppressor. BioGenex offers anti-BRCA1 in a concentrated form and as a ready-to-use reagent for manual use. The antibody has been optimized for use with the BioGenex Super Sensitive™ ready-to-use detection systems.
Lentiviral shRNA Gene Family Sets For direct use in gene silencing Sigma-Aldrich is expanding its shRNA gene family sets in lentiviral format for direct use in gene silencing. The MISSION™ TRC shRNA human kinases gene family is the second in a series of shRNA target sets that allows for rapid RNAi cell-based screens in mammalian systems not easily manipulated by traditional siRNA. The lentiviral transduction particle format eliminates the need to propagate bacterial cells, purify plasmid DNA, or undertake the process of preparing virus. Lentiviral-based shRNA can be used to create a stable knockdown in most mammalian cell types, including primary and nondividing cells. The MISSION TRC shRNA Human Kinases are also available as bacterial glycerol stocks. Additional gene-family sets are available in both glycerol and lentiviral particle format.
DNA-Purification Kit 
ULS Amplification and Labeling Kits 
Monoclonal Antibody 
Oncogene Mutation Test Kit 
Online Cell-Monitoring System 
qPCR Reagent Kits 
