System Uses Simple, Same-day Process to Give Researchers Global Gene Expression View Directly From Cell Lysate

SAN CARLOS, Calif.–NuGEN Technologies, Inc., a leader in nucleic acid sample preparation, announced today that it has launched the first RNA amplification system enabling whole-transcriptome gene expression analysis from a single cell. Based on the company’s proven amplification technology, the WT-Ovation™ One-Direct RNA Amplification System uses a simple, three-step process to prepare samples directly from cell lysate for analysis using microarrays or qPCR.

Until now, researchers have been unable to perform global gene expression analysis from a single cell using microarray technology. The WT-Ovation One-Direct RNA Amplification System makes possible microarray analysis from one cell or just a few cells, while eliminating costly, time-consuming RNA purification.

“The One-Direct System offers a significant advancement for scientists exploring biology at the single cell level,” explained Dr. Yan Zhang, NuGEN vice president of marketing. “Because biological samples are composed of heterogeneous cell populations, elucidating the contribution of each individual cell in such a complex matrix requires the granularity of a true single-cell interrogation methodology.”

Global, Whole-transcriptome Gene Expression Analysis

This breakthrough is important to academic laboratories, pharmaceutical companies, clinics, and hospitals focused on basic discovery and disease research. It will enable researchers to develop more effective diagnostic tools and more targeted drug therapies.

“The ability to assay complex gene expression patterns in single cells is a transformative step in systems biology,” noted Dr. W. Nicholas Haining, assistant professor of pediatrics, department of pediatric oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute. “One can imagine broad-ranging applications of the NuGEN WT-Ovation One-Direct System in immunology, neurobiology, hematopoiesis, and cancer stem cell biology.”

Broad Range of Samples Types

The WT-Ovation One-Direct System is designed to amplify and prepare a broad range of sample types including stem cells, circulating tumor cells, flow-sorted cells, laser-captured, micro-dissected (LCM), cancer stem cells, embryonic cells, and others that yield small quantities of RNA.

Fast, Same-day, Three-Step Process

Making discoveries more quickly and simply is of vital importance to researchers. The amplification process can be completed in a single day using standard laboratory equipment. The steps include:

1. Lyse target cell.

2. Amplify whole transcriptome.

3. Prepare for microarray analysis or analyze with qPCR.

Wide Variety of Downstream Analysis Platforms

The NuGEN Ovation Systems family of RNA amplification and labeling products are platform independent, allowing researchers to conduct analyses using their preferred gene expression platform.

For more information on the WT-Ovation One-Direct Amplification System or the family of Ovation Systems, contact NuGEN Technologies at 888-654-6544, email [email protected], or visit the NuGEN website at www.nugeninc.com/one-direct.

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.

NuGEN, Ovation, SPIA and Ribo-SPIA are registered trademarks of NuGEN Technologies, Inc. WT-Ovation, FL-Ovation, and Imagine More From Less are trademarks or service marks of NuGEN Technologies, Inc. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.