LEXINGTON, Mass. –– RainDance Technologies, Inc., the Digital Biology™ Company, today announced that the University College London (UCL) Cancer Institute has adopted its ThunderStorm™ System as a centralized platform for the validation of genomic and epigenomic targets from clinical and non-clinical studies, including follow-ups for genome-wide and epigenome-wide association studies (GWAS and EWAS), as well as stratified cancer medicine and basic research.

Leveraging RainDance’s proven single-molecule picodroplet PCR technology, the ThunderStorm System supports a wide range of sequencing applications, including candidate gene screening, deep sequencing of heterogeneous tumor samples and medical genetics testing.

At the UCL Cancer Institute, scientists are focused on understanding how genetic and epigenetic variation contributes to phenotypic differences, particularly in cancer. In addition to mutations and genomic rearrangements, they are investigating DNA methylation, histone modifications, and microRNAs to better understand how they affect genome function when it comes to health and disease. Funds from a Wellcome Trust grant will be used to purchase the ThunderStorm System.

Stephan Beck, principal investigator and Professor of Medical Genomics at the UCL Cancer Institute, said: “Our consortium is very excited about this grant award from the Wellcome Trust. Access to a ThunderStorm platform will greatly enhance our ability to track down disease-causing changes in the genomes and epigenomes we are interrogating.”

“Customers like UCL choose the ThunderStorm System because it offers them a production-ready platform for clinical research, generating the highest quality data with a completeness of coverage and uniformity in any chosen region of the genome,” added Mark Dronsfield, Head of European Commercial Operations for RainDance Technologies.” The ThunderStorm System provides users with a daily sample throughput, automated walk-away operation, and cost-effectiveness that are unmatched on any other commercial solution.”

For more information about the RainDance ThunderStorm System, please visit www.RainDanceTech.com/ThunderStorm.

About RainDance Technologies

RainDance Technologies, the Digital Biology™ Company, is pioneering the use of high-throughput picodroplet-based analysis in human health and life science research. The company’s core RainStorm™ technology generates millions of discrete droplets that can encapsulate a single molecule, cell or reaction and be digitally analyzed and sorted one at a time. The power, precision and simplicity of picodroplets enable researchers to answer complex questions with unprecedented sensitivity and quantitation. The complete RainDance solution includes automated instrumentation, customizable bioinformatics and high-value consumables and reagents for applications including targeted next-generation DNA sequencing, methylation, digital PCR. Based in Lexington, Massachusetts, the company supports scientists around the world through its international sales and support operations and a global network of distributors and service providers. For more information, please visit www.RainDanceTech.com.