Company Announcements

WaferGen Bio-systems exclusively licensed from Rutgers University a patent covering a novel RNA Quality Control technology and entered into a strategic collaboration with RUCDR Infinite Biologics.

In December 2012, Seegene announced a licensing agreement with Dupont Nutrition & Health for the use of its technologies in highly multiplexed real-time PCR assays for the Dupont BAX System for food testing.

Arizona State University partnered with Life Technologies in January to enter a $9.33 million contract option as part of a five-year project funded by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority for the prototype development of a gene expression–based system for individuals exposed to abnormal levels of radiation.

Product Introductions

Swift Biosciences launched the myT BRAF-Ultra Primer reagent, which provides 0.01% sensitivity down to single copy detection of BRAF mutations.

Roche introduced the RealTime ready cDNA Pre-Amp Master and Primer Pools, a ready-to-use hot-start reaction mix for pre-amplifying small quantities of cDNA from 1 ng to 250 ng.

In November 2012, Roche introduced the new Light Cycler 96 System, which permits flexible adaptation of workflows to specific assay formats and throughput needs, and features guided navigation and intuitive software.

Fluidigm launched in November 2012 the qdPCR 37k integrated fluidic circuit, which combines digital and real-time PCR and is capable of four-plex tests per sample.

Life Technologies launched in November 2012 the QuantStudio 3D Digital PCR System, a scalable, chip-based instrument priced at $30,000. The first-generation chips enable up to 20,000 data points in a single run. Shipments will begin in the first half of 2013.

Life Technologies introduced the Applied Biosystems QuantStudio Dx Real-Time PCR Instrument, which is CE-IVD marked for use in Europe. It was submitted to the US FDA in December 2012 for 510(k) clearance.

Bioline, a Meridian Bioscience company, released the SensiFAST Genotyping Kit for real-time PCR.

Bio-Rad Laboratories released in November 2012 the new CFX96 Touch Deep Well real-time PCR detection system, which is designed for detecting up to five targets in reaction volumes of 10–125 µL.

New England Biolabs and Synthetic Genomics introduced the Gibson Assembly Cloning Kit for the rapid assembly of multiple DNA fragments using a one-step, isothermal reaction. Also available is NEBuilder, an online primer design tool.

Sales/Orders of Note

LGC Genomics announced the sale of its 100th Hydrocycler water bath thermal cycler.