Roche Applied Science and NuGEN Technologies, Inc., a leader in nucleic acid sample preparation systems, announced today a co-research agreement that will enable NuGEN to develop a NimbleGen array application for small, degraded, and compromised samples. Designed to meet MAQC standards, it will explore input sample capabilities. Using NuGEN WT-Ovation Systems for amplification and labeling, the application is intended to yield a robust, highly sensitive, and reproducible workflow for global gene expression analysis. Financial terms and commercialization plans were not disclosed.
WT-Ovation Systems are based on NuGEN's proprietary SPIA technology-an elegant method for linear isothermal amplification of nucleic acids. Its simple, high-fidelity approach to amplification overcomes the challenges of sample quality and quantity and enables analysis of limited and compromised biological samples.
"In creating a NimbleGen array application, our goal is to give researchers access to a broader range of small and precious samples than they've been previously able to investigate," explained Gerd Maass, Head of Roche NimbleGen. "We expect WT-Ovation Systems will enable researchers to unlock information in complex sample types including LCM or tissue biopsies that yield extremely small amounts of compromised RNA."
According to Doug Amorese, NuGEN vice president for research and development, the biological information in small samples can shed light on the causes and influences of disease, and guide researchers in their quest for understanding the identity and mechanism of action of key factors in disease areas such as cancer, immune system disorders, neurological diseases and more. "Use of smaller samples minimizes the averaging that takes place, enabling researchers to discover details of the tissue or cells of interest. Standardizing on NuGEN WT-Ovation Systems will give the NimbleGen array users a significant advantage over assays that require more sample input and yield less specific results," noted Amorese. "What's more, it will streamline and accelerate the time from sample to discovery, while delivering highly-accurate, specific, and reproducible results."
Using just picograms of total RNA, NuGEN's WT-Ovation technology allows small and degraded RNA samples to be amplified into micrograms of cDNA. The amplified cDNA can then be used for gene expression analysis, sample sharing and archiving. NuGEN's reproducible protocols and robust amplification technology require such minute quantities of tissue that limited samples will go much farther. This has proven to be particularly valuable for worldwide consortia that share irreplaceable archived samples and data across projects and sites.
Roche NimbleGen is a leading innovator, manufacturer, and supplier of a proprietary suite of DNA microarrays, consumables, instruments and services. Roche NimbleGen uniquely produces high-density arrays of long oligo probes that provide greater information content and higher data quality necessary for studying the full diversity of genomic and epigenomic variation. The improved performance is made possible by Roche NimbleGen's proprietary Maskless Array Synthesis (MAS) technology, which uses digital light processing and rapid, high-yield photochemistry to synthesize long oligo, high-density DNA microarrays with extreme flexibility. For more information about Roche NimbleGen, please visit the company's website at www.nimblegen.com
About NuGEN
NuGEN Technologies, Inc. (www.nugeninc.com), based in San Carlos, CA, is focused on the development and commercialization of sensitive, rapid, and high-throughput amplification and sample preparation systems to enable the comprehensive analysis and discovery of biological mechanisms, cellular responses, and disease pathologies.
NIMBLEGEN is a trademark of Roche.
SPIA is a registered trademark and WT-OVATION is a trademark of NuGEN Technologies, Inc.
WT-Ovation Systems are based on NuGEN's proprietary SPIA technology-an elegant method for linear isothermal amplification of nucleic acids. Its simple, high-fidelity approach to amplification overcomes the challenges of sample quality and quantity and enables analysis of limited and compromised biological samples.
"In creating a NimbleGen array application, our goal is to give researchers access to a broader range of small and precious samples than they've been previously able to investigate," explained Gerd Maass, Head of Roche NimbleGen. "We expect WT-Ovation Systems will enable researchers to unlock information in complex sample types including LCM or tissue biopsies that yield extremely small amounts of compromised RNA."
According to Doug Amorese, NuGEN vice president for research and development, the biological information in small samples can shed light on the causes and influences of disease, and guide researchers in their quest for understanding the identity and mechanism of action of key factors in disease areas such as cancer, immune system disorders, neurological diseases and more. "Use of smaller samples minimizes the averaging that takes place, enabling researchers to discover details of the tissue or cells of interest. Standardizing on NuGEN WT-Ovation Systems will give the NimbleGen array users a significant advantage over assays that require more sample input and yield less specific results," noted Amorese. "What's more, it will streamline and accelerate the time from sample to discovery, while delivering highly-accurate, specific, and reproducible results."
Using just picograms of total RNA, NuGEN's WT-Ovation technology allows small and degraded RNA samples to be amplified into micrograms of cDNA. The amplified cDNA can then be used for gene expression analysis, sample sharing and archiving. NuGEN's reproducible protocols and robust amplification technology require such minute quantities of tissue that limited samples will go much farther. This has proven to be particularly valuable for worldwide consortia that share irreplaceable archived samples and data across projects and sites.
Roche NimbleGen is a leading innovator, manufacturer, and supplier of a proprietary suite of DNA microarrays, consumables, instruments and services. Roche NimbleGen uniquely produces high-density arrays of long oligo probes that provide greater information content and higher data quality necessary for studying the full diversity of genomic and epigenomic variation. The improved performance is made possible by Roche NimbleGen's proprietary Maskless Array Synthesis (MAS) technology, which uses digital light processing and rapid, high-yield photochemistry to synthesize long oligo, high-density DNA microarrays with extreme flexibility. For more information about Roche NimbleGen, please visit the company's website at www.nimblegen.com
About NuGEN
NuGEN Technologies, Inc. (www.nugeninc.com), based in San Carlos, CA, is focused on the development and commercialization of sensitive, rapid, and high-throughput amplification and sample preparation systems to enable the comprehensive analysis and discovery of biological mechanisms, cellular responses, and disease pathologies.
NIMBLEGEN is a trademark of Roche.
SPIA is a registered trademark and WT-OVATION is a trademark of NuGEN Technologies, Inc.
