Family-Based Whole-Genome Sequencing Reveals Candidates for Mendelian Disease
Roach, Glusman et al., Science
Researchers at the Institute for Systems Biology and Complete Genomics have identified candidate disease-causing genes for Miller syndrome and ciliary dyskinesia, both Mendelian disorders. They sequenced the genomes of a family of four, allowing them to determine recombination sites with precision (at 99.999 percent accuracy) and identify rare single-nucleotide polymorphisms. "Our results demonstrate the unique value of complete genome sequencing in families," the authors write.
Researchers Use Fluidigm Nanofluidic Digital PCR Array to Quantify Mutations in Lung Cancer Gene
Scientists from Case Western Reserve University and Fluidigm have demonstrated how the nanofluidic digital PCR platform can detect and quantify EGFR mutations at the single-molecule level from lung tumors, including FFPE samples.
March 11, 2010
Biosearch Seeks to Enter IVD Market with Expanded Roche License
Under the new license with Roche, Biosearch now has the right to manufacture and sell validated kits, including probes, primers, enzymes, and other essential nucleic acid amplification technologies.
March 10, 2010
Wafergen Names Early-Access Customers, Gets CE Mark for SmartChip PCR System
The early-access agreements provide Wafergen with an undisclosed amount of revenue, and are expected to help validate the SmartChip platform prior to its planned launch later this year.
March 10, 2010
Thermo Fisher Wraps Up Finnzymes Acquisition
Financial terms have not been disclosed. Finnzymes provides Thermo with its first PCR instrument platform, as well as proprietary DNA polymerases for amplifying DNA from whole blood, bacteria, and animal and plant tissue.
March 10, 2010
Integromics Inks Two Licenses, Training Agreement for qPCR Analysis Software
The National Cancer Institute and international stem-cell research consortium ESTools have purchased site-wide licenses to Integromics' RealTime StatMiner. Meantime, qPCR support and services organization TATAA Biocenter will distribute and provide training for the software.
March 09, 2010
Fluidigm Access Array PCR protocols; Epigentek's BisulFlash DNA Modification Kit
March 09, 2010
IP Update: Recent Patents Related to PCR, Sample Prep, and Nucleic Acid Amplification
Patent awarded to PrimeraDx.
March 09, 2010
Abbott, GSK to Develop PCR-Based Molecular Dx to Select Patients for Trial Skin Cancer Therapy
Abbott and GSK will develop and commercialize a PCR test for the MAGE-A3 biomarker using Abbott's m2000 automated real-time PCR system.
March 04, 2010
Asuragen, UC-Davis MIND Institute Publish Study Vetting PCR-Based Assay for Fragile X Mutations
The method is currently available from Asuragen as a research-use-only PCR kit, but the company is hoping that the publication is an important step toward developing a routine PCR-based diagnostic for the disorder.
March 04, 2010
ZyGem and Genomic Health Introduce New Methods for Total RNA Extraction
ZyGem's method, available in a commercial kit, can prepare samples in under 20 minutes, or up to ten times faster than existing RNA extraction products; while Genomic Health's method can access the entire transcriptome from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues for downstream analyses.
March 04, 2010
Hutch Lab Improves Protocol for qRT-PCR Analysis of microRNA Biomarkers from Blood
The protocol may better enable researchers in other labs to conduct microRNA biomarker research, and is an incremental step toward developing a blood-based cancer detection method based on circulating microRNAs.
March 04, 2010
USPTO Rules that Enzo Nucleic Acid Signal-Amp Tech Precedes Patent Owned by Siemens
The decision paves the way for Enzo to be issued a patent based on its prior application, and the company plans to "rapidly" develop and market products based on the technology for a wide variety of applications.
March 04, 2010
France's Polyplus-transfection Licenses Oligonucleotide Tech to Metabion
Metabion will develop custom research reagents and in vitro diagnostics based on Polyplus' ZNA oligonucleotides, which are modified to have increased affinity for nucleic acids while retaining specificity.
March 04, 2010
