Health & Fitness
Health and Fitness
Health and Fitness
Thu, December 18, 2008 Invitrogen Launches Solutions to Simplify DNA and RNA Workflows on Next-Generation Sequencing Systems
CARLSBAD, Calif.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--Invitrogen, part of Life Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: LIFE), a provider of innovative life science solutions, today announced the introduction of two reagent solutions to simplify genomic and transcriptome analysis on next-generation, high-throughput genomic analysis platforms. Both solutions provide basic and clinical researchers with an innovative workflow that greatly reduces the time, cost, and experimental variability associated with next-generation sequencing library preparation.
The RiboMinus™ kit and the E-Gel® SizeSelect™ 2% pre-cast agarose gels simplify the workflows and reduce the experimental time and cost of applications such as discovery and characterization of the entire transcriptome, validation of whole genome association results, targeted resequencing, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), rare and somatic mutation detection, and epigenetic studies. The solutions are compatible with next-generation high-throughput genome analysis platforms, including Life Technologies' Applied Biosystems SOLiD™ System, Illumina's Genome Analyzer and Roche's Genome Sequencer FLX System.
The RiboMinus for RNA-sequencing kits are available in two configurations: a universal kit for eukaryotes and a more specialized kit for plants. They are used for the enrichment of RNA for whole transcriptome analysis for ribonucleic acid sequencing or RNA-Sequencing applications. The kit enables the depletion of large ribosomal RNA, the most abundant RNA in the transcriptome, by using oligonucleotide probes containing locking nucleic acids and magnetic bead separation technology. The ability to deplete the ribosomal RNA is significant because the abundant RNAs often mask the messenger RNAs that play an influential role in gene expression, which may affect the detection of novel RNA transcripts within a cell. For example, scientists may use the RiboMinus kit to discover low abundance RNA sequences associated with human disease, as well as in agricultural systems that help determine the factors involved in drought and pest resistance.
The E-Gel SizeSelect 2% pre-cast agarose gels are designed to simplify the separation and recovery of nucleic acid fragments of less than 1000 base pairs for short read fragment library construction. For most next generation sequencing platforms, the nucleic acids strands need to be broken into smaller fragments of specific size ranges to efficiently sequence templates in applications, such as targeted and whole genome resequencing, transcriptome analysis, small RNA discovery, ChIP analysis, methylated DNA profiling and de novo assembly. E-Gel SizeSelect 2% system reduces the time needed to complete this step from hours to less than 15 minutes without any need for further purification. The E-Gel system has been used in fragment and mate-pair/paired end library construction on the Applied Biosystems SOLiD System and the Illumina Genome Analyzer.
Dr. Jim Knowles, Professor and Associate Chair for Research Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Southern California's Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute at the Keck School of Medicine is using the E-Gel SizeSelect 2% system for the discovery of genetic factors that predispose individuals to psychiatric illnesses. His research team is focusing on projects including panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, nicotine addiction, opiate addiction, major depression and pulmonary arterial hypertension.
"We have used the E-Gel SizeSelect 2% system to select different size fractions of DNA during library preparation for next-generation DNA sequencing," said Dr. Knowles. "In comparison with agarose gels, this has been accomplished quickly and efficiently, with a higher yield, while requiring minimal technical skills."
Life Technologies Corporation markets the life science industry's most comprehensive portfolio of solutions for genomic analysis through its Invitrogen and Applied Biosystems units.
"Simplifying sequencing workflows enables researchers to generate more useful data per experiment and allow them to focus on the biology," said Rob Bennett, Life Technologies' Research and Development Leader for Advanced Sequencing Applications. "Life Technologies is developing innovative solutions that will be compatible with all next-generation DNA sequencing platforms to accelerate research and meet the market demand for faster and cost-effective sequencing."
For more information, please visit: [ www.invitrogen.com ] and [ www.appliedbiosystems.com ].
About Life Technologies
Life Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: LIFE) is a global biotechnology tools company dedicated to improving the human condition. Our systems, consumables and services enable researchers to accelerate scientific exploration, driving to discoveries and developments that make life even better. Life Technologies customers do their work across the biological spectrum, working to advance personalized medicine, regenerative science, molecular diagnostics, agricultural and environmental research, and 21st century forensics. Life Technologies is expected to have sales of more than $3.5 billion in 2008, employs 9,500 people, has a presence in more than 100 countries, and possesses a rapidly growing intellectual property estate of over 3,600 patents and exclusive licenses. Life Technologies was created by the combination of Invitrogen Corporation and Applied Biosystems Inc. For more information on how we are making a difference please visit our website: [ www.lifetechnologies.com ].
Safe Harbor Statement
Certain statements contained in this press release are considered "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and it is Life Technologies intent that such statements be protected by the safe harbor created thereby. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: potential difficulties that may be encountered in integrating the merged businesses; potential uncertainties regarding market acceptance of Life Technologies and its products; Life Technologies' ability to protect its intellectual property rights; competitive responses to the merger; an economic downturn, including the deterioration in economic and market conditions currently being experienced; risks that revenues may be lower than expected; Life Technologies' ability to make accurate estimates and control costs; Life Technologies' and its partners' ability to bid on, win, perform and renew contracts and projects; the need to develop new products and adapt to significant technological change; exposure to environmental liabilities and litigation; liabilities for pending and future litigation; the impact of changes in laws and regulations; industry competition; Life Technologies' ability to attract and retain key employees; employee, agent or partner misconduct; risks associated with changes in equity-based compensation requirements; Life Technologies' leveraged position and ability to service debt; risks associated with international operations; third-party software risks; terrorist and natural disaster risks; anti-takeover risks and other factors; as well as other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in Life Technologies' Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.
Copyright 2008. Life Technologies Corporation. All rights reserved. Applied Biosystems and the SOLiD™ System, and RiboMinus™ and E-Gel® SizeSelect™ are registered trademarks of Life Technologies or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or certain other countries.
