Quantum-Si released significant upgrades to its Platinum® platform with the introduction of the highly anticipated V2 Sequencing Kits. These additions further refine protein sequencing by offering a major increase in proteome coverage and sequencing output.
The latest advancements integrate a novel amino acid recognizer, alongside improved surface chemistry, reagents, and software developments that are designed to augment the sequencing capabilities of the Platinum® platform. This combination promises to elevate sequencing performance and consistency as well as enable the identification of previously unknown proteins. In addition to technical improvements, the V2 Sequencing Kits are expected to dramatically reduce the cost of sequencing per amino acid, making advanced protein analysis more economical for researchers and labs.
Jeff Hawkins, CEO of Quantum-Si, highlighted the potential of these enhancements, stating, “With Platinum, we are striving to make protein sequencing accessible to every lab everywhere, and now, with our V2 Sequencing Kits, more insights are possible with greater cost efficiency so that even more scientists can easily incorporate Platinum into their workflow."
Biotium has introduced Biotium Choice primary antibody conjugates for flow cytometry. These monoclonal primary antibodies undergo meticulous curation and in-house validation to ensure robust and reliable results.
The Biotium Choice antibody conjugates come in CF® Dyes, Astral™ Leap tandem dyes, and PE options. CF® Dyes, recognized for exceptional brightness and signal-to-noise ratio, provide a unique fluorescent probe. Astral Leap™ tandem dyes, featuring extended Stokes shift capabilities, enhance multiplexing in flow cytometry through optimized Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) dye capabilities and conjugation to fluorescent proteins.
Currently, RPE-Astral™616 and APC-Astral™813 are available for select Biotium Choice antibody conjugates, with more tandem dyes in development.
The primary antibody conjugates cover well-established clones against common targets, including CD3e, CD4, CD8a, CD9, CD16, CD19, CD45, CD63, and CD81. Biotium plans to expand this catalog, introducing additional targets, label options, and validated applications.
Eppendorf announced the launch of the Mastercycler X40, a state-of-the-art thermal cycler. This PCR cycler promises reliable and reproducible nucleic acid amplification with precise temperature control. It accommodates a variety of tube sizes and 96-well PCR plates, and the SafeLid ensures sample protection from evaporation.
The Mastercycler X40 also features an intuitive touch-screen interface and ergonomic one-hand operation, simplifying your PCR work. Its 12-column gradient feature supports optimization of temperature steps in your protocols.
Moreover, the Mastercycler X40 is designed for a digital future, allowing direct connectivity to the VisioNize Lab Suite for monitoring and documentation. In line with sustainability goals, it's packaged in an eco-friendly cardboard box with minimal plastic and a concise manual, reducing environmental impact. Its compact design not only saves space but also minimizes CO2 emissions through reduced energy consumption during operation and shipping.
Takara Bio Europe (TBE) has introduced new High-Quality (HQ) grade mRNA production enzymes—T7 RNA polymerase, HQ and Pyrophosphatase (inorganic), HQ—designed for pre-clinical and process development in mRNA vaccine and therapeutic manufacturing. These HQ enzymes offer quality features similar to GMP-grade enzymes, facilitating a smoother transition to GMP-grade manufacturing. Moreover, their high-volume format (1 mL/tube) enhances process scalability.
In addition, TBE plans to further expand its HQ enzyme range to support mRNA production in pre-clinical and process development stages, including the upcoming release of Recombinant RNase Inhibitor, HQ.
Absolute Biotech announced the relaunch of SCICONS™ dsRNA antibodies. Renowned for their accurate double-stranded RNA detection, SCICONS antibodies have gained widespread recognition in diverse applications since their initial development in 1990. Absolute Biotech now offers these antibodies worldwide, including original clones, ELISA kits, and recombinant engineered formats.
SCICONS antibodies play a crucial role in detecting dsRNA intermediates of various viruses, such as chikungunya, dengue, hepatitis, rabies, and more. The highly specific clones—J2, J5, K1, and K2—have been extensively utilized by virology researchers and mRNA vaccine developers to study viral life cycles and anti-viral responses. Additionally, they serve as a diagnostic tool to differentiate between bacterial and viral pathogens.
Absolute Biotech provides a range of antibody formats, including off-the-shelf options in various species and isotypes, as well as unique formats like Fc silenced and His-tagged Fab fragments, with customizable options available.
PromoCell announced the availlability of PromoExQ MSC Growth Medium XF, a serum- and xeno-free cell culture medium tailored for the GMP compliant maintenance and long-term expansion of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) used in cell therapy manufacturing.
PromoExQ MSC Growth Medium XF enables the long-term expansion of a variety of MSC types, including MSCs from the bone marrow, umbilical cord matrix, and adipose tissue, and ensures their consistent growth and maintenance. Analysis of the growth of human MSCs isolated from the bone marrow (BM-hMSCs) showed an average population doubling time of less than 40 hours when cultured in PromoExQ MSC Growth Medium XF.
The PromoExQ MSC Growth Medium XF adheres to rigorous quality standards and is produced in line with PromoCell's EXCiPACT™ GMP certification scheme, compliant with the American National Standard NSF/IPEC/ANSI 363 GMP for pharmaceutical excipients. The medium comes with comprehensive documentation, including Excipient Quality Assessment File (EQAF), facilitating risk analysis for users. PromoCell also ensures batch consistency and full traceability of all materials used in manufacturing the medium.
Thermo Fisher Scientific has introduced the Gibco™ OncoPro™ Tumoroid Culture Medium Kit, a culture medium designed for expanding patient-derived tumoroids from various cancer types.
Tumoroids hold promise in enhancing the success rate of clinical trials by providing researchers with better disease models to predict patient responses to therapeutics in vitro. However, the use of tumoroids in cancer research has been limited due to complex culture requirements and a lack of readily available media systems. Thermo Fisher's new modular tumoroid culture medium kit aims to make these advanced cancer models more accessible to researchers.
The OncoPro Tumoroid Culture Medium Kit includes a scalable and automation-compatible suspension culture method, simplifying its integration into research and drug discovery processes. The media system can be used across various tissue origins, making it an essential tool for laboratories working with tumor organoids. Notably, the kit does not require a license for commercial use, aligning with Thermo Fisher's mission to facilitate global scientific progress.
Lonza has unveiled the TheraPRO® CHO Media System, a cell culture platform designed to optimize productivity and protein quality in therapeutic monoclonal antibody production using GS-CHO cell lines. The two-part production system is scalable, from cell line development through bioprocess manufacturing, and ensures chemically defined and animal-component-free culture media. It offers efficient performance, achieving high viable cell concentrations and more than 5g/L protein titer during a 15-day culture cycle—double the titer of existing market solutions.
The launch aims to support pharmaceutical and biotech companies in delivering high-quality biologics more quickly to meet growing healthcare demands. The system's versatility allows its use with various GS Knockout CHO cell hosts and supports diverse clones with different metabolic profiles. Manufactured in ISO 13485 certified facilities, the TheraPRO® CHO Media System ensures full product traceability and regulatory compliance.
Qkine, a manufacturer of animal-free, highly bioactive, and innovative proteins, recently reported a collaboration with Sartorius to supply growth factors and cytokines for stem cell and organoid research.
"Our goal at Sartorius has always been to simplify progress in life science research by bringing our customers end-to-end workflow solutions for core and emerging applications. We’re embracing the promise of advanced culture systems for disease modelling and expanding our portfolio to support this rapidly growing field,” said Fiona Coats, Head of Marketing at Sartorius’ Lab Products and Services division. “We want to provide not just the tools and reagents, but also the validation data scientists need to drive their research forward with confidence.”
Qkine animal-free growth factors and cytokines will be provided as part of Sartorius’s stem cell research portfolio that includes equipment and reagents. Additionally, customers will have access to application data for the use of these products with different cell types on Sartorius instrumentation for live-cell imaging and analysis.
Revvity, Inc. recently unveiled a non-exclusive license agreement with AstraZeneca for their Pin-point™ base editing system. The Pin-point™ enables precise and efficient editing without compromising the integrity of cells. Unlike conventional CRISPR techniques, which induce double-stranded breaks in DNA, the Pin-point™ system uses a modified Cas enzyme to nick only one strand of the DNA. This controlled approach gives researchers a high degree of accuracy in gene disruption and base correction.
With the Pin-point™ system, researchers can select specific components tailored to their gene targets, optimizing the system's performance for their unique research needs. This adaptability opens up possibilities for various cell types and therapeutic applications, as demonstrated by successful applications in T-cells and iPSCs.
Furthermore, Revvity has developed a proprietary method to harness the base editing mechanism for gene insertion, enabling the creation of allogeneic CAR-T cell therapies by simultaneously inserting a CAR gene while knocking out immune markers.
The collaboration between Revvity and AstraZeneca underscores the shared vision of accelerating scientific progress and improving patient outcomes. With its modular design and high precision, the Pin-point™ system empowers researchers to explore new frontiers in cell therapy research.
Agarose Bead Technologies (ABT) and Izon Science recently entered into a collaborative agreement to uncover the next evolution of clinical EV research. This partnership presents new opportunities for developing solutions that advance the understanding and application of extracellular vesicles (EVs).
EVs play a crucial role in intercellular communication, yet their specific functions in immune response and cellular signaling remain poorly defined. As a result, the scientific community has witnessed a surge of interest in the EV field, exploring how EV biology, function, and diversity can contribute to diagnostics and therapeutics.
One significant challenge researchers face is efficiently purifying and separating EVs on a large scale, ensuring high yields and purity. ABT and Izon Science's partnership aims to develop unique solutions for nano-biological separation, particularly focused on EVs. The increasing number of EV-based clinical trials and developments highlights the need for improved separation technologies that enhance the reliability, efficiency, and scalability of liquid biopsies, diagnostics, and therapeutics.
Together, ABT and Izon created customized resins tailored to meet the specific separation requirements of the EV field. These custom-made resins will be packed within Izon's new Gen 2 qEV column portfolio, providing an improved EV separation profile.
Pilar Armisen, Technical Business Development Manager at ABT, highlights the partnership's significance, stating, "Our collaboration with Izon underscores the importance of leveraging our respective strengths to achieve breakthrough results in clinical applications. The development of state-of-the-art custom resins by ABT has empowered Izon to create a distinctive product for optimal EV separation. We are thrilled about the potential of this partnership to drive impactful innovations that will benefit patients."
Hans van der Voorn, CEO and co-founder of Izon, says, "Our quest for global partners capable of collaborating with us to create customized EV separation solutions led us to ABT. They have been, and will continue to be, a key collaborator as we work together to develop new products and services. Through this partnership, we can effectively address the challenge of EV isolation in the field, enabling researchers to concentrate on refining the development of biomarkers and therapeutics for clinical use."
Lonza recently unveiled the TheraPEAK® T-VIVO® Cell Culture Medium, a chemically defined medium designed to optimize CAR T-cell manufacturing. With a focus on improved performance, process control, and regulatory approval, this medium eliminates the need for animal-origin components, delivering greater consistency and simplifying the path to market.
Traditionally, CAR T-cell manufacturing has relied on animal or human serum, which introduces variability and potential risks associated with adventitious agents. Safety testing, screening, and the stockpiling of serum batches of suitable quality make the manufacturing process costlier and more time-consuming.
Unlike many earlier serum-free media, Lonza's TheraPEAK® T-VIVO® Cell Culture Medium enables high performance without adding human serum (HS) or its components. By eliminating animal components and using only recombinant proteins, this GMP-grade medium provides enhanced batch-to-batch consistency, increased supply security, and expedited pre-clinical development, regulatory approval, and therapy production. Additionally, it reduces contamination risk and lessens the traceability and documentation burden.
Erin Brooks, Senior Global Product Manager, Bioscience, Lonza, expressed enthusiasm about the launch, stating, "We are enabling unprecedented control over raw materials and manufacturing processes and unlocking greater end-product consistency for customers. With fewer barriers to a faster, more cost-efficient route to market, manufacturers can now focus on what matters: transforming patients’ lives for the better."
PCR Biosystems recently announced their new VeriFi™ Library Amplification Mix, a proofreading polymerase mix explicitly designed for NGS library preparation workflows. Library amplification is an essential step in PCR-based NGS workflows, but PCR is often susceptible to GC bias, which can compromise the quality of sequencing libraries and lead to subpar data quality. Researchers rely on reducing GC bias during NGS library amplification to ensure they can derive reliable insights from their data.
The VeriFi™ Library Amplification Mix has been developed to minimize GC bias, improving the quality of sequencing datasets. By combining the robust performance of the VeriFi™ Hot Start Polymerase with proprietary chemistry and AptaLock™ hot start technology, the mix reduces GC bias and enables reliable amplification for sequencing workflows. This mix has undergone rigorous testing on Illumina platforms and shown minimal bias, even during amplification at extremes of GC content ranging from 30% – 70%.
In an external, blind experiment involving three market-leading competitors, VeriFi™ Library Amplification Mix outperformed the competition, enabling the detection of 2% more unique reads. More unique reads mean greater target sequence coverage in whole-genome sequencing studies, leading to more accurate quantitative information and making RNA-Seq experiments more informative.
VeriFi™ Library Amplification Mix is also easy to use, with a 2x mix format that simplifies the workflow by reducing the pipetting required, improving reproducibility. This mix is also cost-effective, making it an ideal solution for researchers undertaking costly and laborious NGS experiments.
"We are thrilled to announce the launch of VeriFi™ Library Amplification Mix,” stated Dr. Martin Stocks, CEO of PCR Biosystems. “This product has been developed in response to the need for superior performance in PCR-based NGS workflows. By minimizing GC bias, we can offer researchers improved sequencing datasets, leading to more reliable insights into complex biological processes. We are confident that our customers will see significant benefits when using VeriFi™ Library Amplification Mix, and we look forward to showcasing this product at ECCMID and AACR."
BioEcho Life Sciences, a biotechnology company specializing in fast and sustainable nucleic acid extraction technologies, has announced the launch of its new EchoLUTION Cell Culture RNA Kit. The kit is designed for efficient and simplified total RNA extraction from any type of cultured cells and is suitable for a wide range of applications, including drug discovery, sequencing, and basic research in fields such as oncology, immunology, and transcriptomics.
The EchoLUTION Cell Culture RNA Kit is based on an ultra-fast lysis process combined with BioEcho's proprietary EchoLUTION technology, which enables total RNA extraction from different cell types in one step. This technology makes the purification 50 – 70% faster than established kits on the market based on the bind-wash-elute procedure. It also results in a premium-quality RNA with superior integrity (RIN: 9 – 10) and competitive yield compared to silica-based methods.
"The single step process innovates the isolation of high-quality RNA out of cells for various applications, reduces the time to result for researchers and saves a lot of hands-on time without making compromise in quality," says Dr. Thomas Neumann, Chief Commercial Officer at BioEcho. "Further it supports the ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) initiatives by reducing plastics, solvents, and using reusable components."
The EchoLUTION Cell Culture RNA Kit is easy to integrate, as only standard laboratory equipment is needed. It avoids inhibitory reagents (e.g., EtOH) in the final product, providing an RNA sample perfectly suited for downstream applications such as RT-PCR, RT-qPCR, and RNAseq. As with other BioEcho products, the EchoLUTION Cell Culture RNA Kit also minimizes hazardous reagents and decreases associated plastic consumption to 60%.
10x Genomics released the first commercial shipments of its Xenium platform for in situ analysis. The platform is designed for targeted spatial profiling of genes and proteins at a subcellular resolution, with a diverse menu of customizable panels and software for interactive data visualization. According to the company, Xenium enables subcellular mapping of hundreds of RNA targets, generating data with high sensitivity and specificity to reveal new insights into cellular structure and function.
"We built 10x to deliver technologies to address the complexity of biology, and with the commercial launch of Xenium, we're confident we now have the full set of solutions for the future of biological analysis," says Ben Hindson, Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of 10x Genomics. "We developed Xenium with a unique combination of performance advantages, which are resonating well with customers, and we strongly believe Xenium is the best performing system available for in situ analysis. It is yet another example of how we bring together our multidisciplinary expertise, R&D capabilities and relentless customer focus to solve hard challenges and enable our customers to uncover the deepest biological insights."
Some of the features of the Xenium platform include a diverse menu of gene panels, compatibility with standard pathology (including H&E), on-instrument primary and secondary data analysis, interactive visualization software, and more. The company’s Chromium, Visium and Xenium platforms can be used independently or integrated for higher resolution and scalability.
"We didn't want just an instrument that performs an assay well today, but also a platform that will evolve over the next several years and continue to provide valuable insights in situ," explains Bill Flynn, PhD, Associate Director of Single Cell Biology at The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine. "Xenium appears to be that platform and is backed up by the detailed protocols, documentation and support that makes 10x Genomics stand out from others in this space. We are glad that 10x can recognize key opinion leaders and subject matter experts in their customer base and work with them to help develop a product that all customers will want to use. The data quality from the preliminary assays I've had access to speaks volumes about the platform design philosophy of the teams that developed the assay, hardware and software. We very much look forward to our continued work with 10x Genomics, and we are excited to embark on this subcellular journey together."
Dolomite Bio recently announced their RNAdia 2.0 reagent kit for single cell research. RNAdia 2.0 is designed to be utilized alongside the Nadia Instrument, an automated, microfluidic droplet-based platform for single cell research that encapsulates up to 8 samples, in parallel, in under 20 min.
With the Nadia Instrument, scientists can process cells up to 50 µm, as well as construct and sequence single cell libraries that are compatible with standard NGS short-red sequencing on Illumina sequencers. Additionally, data analysis is available for purchase alongside the RNAdia 2.0 kit bundles.
In addition to the RNAdia 2.0 launch, Dolomite Bio is also introducing the Droplet Analyzer Software, a free online tool for detecting and analyzing droplets generated using microfluidic technology.
“Our focus has always been on ease of use for the user, so that they can focus on doing what’s important,” says Thomas Osborne, Technical Applications Specialist at Dolomite Bio. “This is why we’ve really thought about each stage of the workflow and how it can support their research.”
PerkinElmer announced their new viral vector assays to aid gene therapy researchers in their work for various diseases. The high-throughput assays are designed to help scientists characterize viral vector particles to enable decision-making for safe and effective gene transfer.
This launch provides scientists with additional options to measure viral titers beyond ELISA and other wash-based systems. Additionally, since the assays are built on PerkinElmer’s AlphaLISA technology, they do not require any separation.
There are seven kits total, each able to detect a specific serotype to target various cell types in the body for gene therapy applications. At the time of writing, these are the only optimized, no-wash AAV detection assays currently available on the market.
"One of the best ways to support gene therapy researchers is to provide solutions to help them navigate the unique workflows they work with to shorten and simplify the path from lab to clinic,” says Dr. Alan Fletcher, Senior Vice President, Life Sciences at PerkinElmer. “Our new AAV detection kits are designed to do that by eliminating long, tedious protocols while expanding the detection range to enable potential cures for people living with cancer, Alzheimer’s, muscular dystrophy, infectious diseases and more.”
Linkam Scientific Instruments recently introduced their new software, NEXUS, designed to control and record all aspects of heating, cooling, vacuum, humidity, and other environmental conditions in a Linkam stage.
The NEXUS Core, the primary NEXUS platform, introduces a wide range of specifications to enable researchers with greater experimental control and flexibility. Users can monitor the status of their experiments with the live display feature and make adjustments as needed throughout the data collection process. The upgraded software’s live status display and real-time temperature chart ensure synchronization between samples.
The new optional NEXUS Image Capture Module facilitates automatic image capturing at specific points during an experiment. Each image can be denoted with parameters, such as the current temperature, to make offline analysis straightforward. Additional features, like the rewind and review capabilities, can be used for live data recording and highly detailed analysis.
The NEXUS Core also has an extended measurement module consisting of fully calibrated measurements, annotation tools, and the ability to burn measurements and annotations into the image for quick analysis. A reporting module also automates exporting charts and images into a Microsoft Word document for subsequent investigation. The Thermal Analysis by Surface Characterisation, or TASC, module is ideal for studying sample inhomogeneity by measuring multiple microscopic locations within one sample.
“With the increasing focus on automation making it critical for researchers to stay up to date with modern, sustainable experimentation techniques, our new software extends the existing functionalities of Linkam stages to keep users at the cutting edge of technology,” says Clara Ko, Sales and Marketing Manager at Linkam. “Automated, real-time measurements are crucial to the digitisation of experiments. The new NEXUS software release supports our most popular stage families, with new stages being added on an ongoing basis.”
Thermo Fisher recently announced their new application-specific LC System, the Vanquish Analytical Purification LC System. The system also features their new integrated Vanquish Fraction Collector, allowing for a wide range of coverage and precision across analytical workflows.
This system supports a broad flow range from 0.05–10 mL/min, plus a wide variety of sample containers. It also preserves sample integrity through a fail-safe vessel rack recognition system, fractionation movement, and controlled sample storage. By using valve technology, the system maintains fraction purity performance with enhanced resolution, product recovery, and minimized carry over.
“Biopharmaceutical laboratories working at the forefront of new drug development require detailed characterization of impurities. The superior user experience and separation performance of our award-winning Vanquish LC product line, with the addition of the new Vanquish Fraction Collector, enable researchers to isolate and purify compounds right after their analytical separation,” says Kent Davidson, vice president and general manager, high performance chromatography solutions, Thermo Fisher Scientific. “With our broad range of high-quality chromatographic consumables, our customers can be confident that sample integrity will be preserved throughout their analytical workflow. Our products can dramatically accelerate the science to get new life-saving drugs to the patient.”
Biotum recently launched their next-generation Gel-Bright™ Laser Diode Gel Illuminator as an alternative to LED and UV-based illumination. This device features laser diode-based illumination technology suitable for a wide range of fluorescent dyes, with improved sensitivity specifically for red and green dyes.
While gel illuminators have typically relied on UV illumination to visualize nucleic acids and proteins, UV-based illumination has been shown to damage DNA samples, as well as the user’s skin and eyes. LED-based illuminators are another popular alternative but often have high background or dim signals due to ambient lighting and poor excitation efficiency.
To address these challenges, the Gel-Bright™ Laser Diode Gel Illuminator contains 12 laser diodes positioned at an optimal angle for consistent and uniform gel illumination. Safety glasses are not required since the amount of light entering the eyes is below CDRH limits. Additionally, an adjustable multi-hinged amber filter buffs the signal-to-noise ratio and can be adjusted to lower or higher positions as needed. The gel illuminator also has a compact, portable design, making it easy to transport and keep on benchtops.
Each purchase of a Gel-Bright™ Laser Diode Gel Illuminator includes free samples of GelRed® Agarose LE and GelGreen® Agarose LE. The A Gel-Bright™ Imaging Hood offers a fitted enclosure for convenient imaging with your cell phone or tablet, and it will be offered as an optional accessory at a later date.
Illumina announced the launch of the NovaSeq™ X Series (NovaSeq X and NovaSeq X Plus), new production-scale sequencers designed to accelerate genomic medicine by enabling faster, more potent, and sustainable sequencing. The NovaSeq X Plus can produce over 20,000 whole genomes annually, at 2.5x the rate of traditional sequencers.
"Illumina has been a pioneer in genomics for more than two decades, and with this new sequencer, we are reinventing the genomics industry once again. Today, we are forging a new path forward to advance more breakthroughs in cancer and genetic disease treatments, precision therapies, and pandemic preparedness," says Francis deSouza, Illumina's Chief Executive Officer. "Innovations like NovaSeq X are at the heart of how we will transform patient lives, and this groundbreaking technology will empower researchers, scientists, and clinicians in the fight to diagnose, treat – and eventually cure – disease while making genomics more sustainable and accessible to millions more people around the world."
Some of the highlights of the NovaSeq X Series include new sequencing by synthesis (SBS) chemistry, engineered for 2x higher speed and 3x greater accuracy, plus high-resolution optics and ultra-high density flow cells to increase throughput. Additionally, 15 new thermostable reagents are available to support ambient-temperature shipping, reducing the need for dry ice and extra waste in the lab.
Notably, NovaSex X also significantly decreases waste and environmental impact. Compared to NovaSeq 600, NovaSeq X has a 90% reduction in packing waste and weight, plus a 50% reduction in plastic usage. The thermostable reagents will save 500 tons of dry ice annually while drastically lowering customers’ waste streams.
Molecular Loop Biosciences launched monkeypox targeting panels to assist researchers in variant discovery and surveillance. The panel, called the Molecular Loop Monkeypox Research Panel, is a library prep solution offering extensive coverage of the monkeypox genome in a four-step workflow. Kits are optimized for both short-read Illumina sequencing and long-read Pacific Biosciences sequencing.
"From the COVID-19 pandemic to the uptick in monkeypox virus, large-scale surveillance is a critical tool to understand and combat emerging pathogens as they mutate and spread through the population. We are excited that our technology not only improves the quality of the data generated by these surveillance efforts, but because of its simplified workflow and robustness to variation, allows more focus to be placed on those data, and less on the lab work needed to generate them" says Greg Porreca, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Molecular Loop.
The Molecular Loop Monkeypox Research Panels contain over 7800 probes that generate overlapping amplicons tiled along the entire length of the monkeypox genome. This target redundancy aims to ensure that every base is accurately captured and sequenced, even when the sample genome contains variants that traditionally interfere with single-amplicon approaches.
"Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 has proven that our probe tiling strategy is invaluable, as it is far more robust than amplicon approaches for detecting emerging variants. We're excited to continue supporting the infectious disease community with everything from influenza to Ebola surveillance," says Eric Boyden, Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Molecular Loop.
PerkinElmer recently unveiled their Cellaca PLX system, which combines image cytometer hardware, software, validated consumables and trackable data reporting all in one place. This streamlined system aims to enhance customers’ experience using benchtop platforms and optimize reagent kits with validated antibodies from BioLegend.
The platform, designed by the company’s Nexcelom unit, enables researchers to assess multiple Critical Quality Attributes (CQAs) of cell samples within a single automated workflow, identifying cell quality and quantity faster than ever. This new offering provides expanded cell sample CQA analysis options beyond traditional flow cytometry and staining methods. By combining these various capabilities all in one system, researchers can detect multiple markers simultaneously and perform assays within seconds.
"Pharmaceutical companies have invested heavily in cell and gene therapy, but they struggle to assess the complex cell samples required to meet immense scientific demands and regulatory rigor across their research and manufacturing processes," says Alan Fletcher, senior vice president of Life Sciences at PerkinElmer. "While the Cellaca PLX Image Cytometer platform is therapeutic area agnostic, it is expected to be especially beneficial for researchers working in CAR-T cell therapy who want to streamline their phenotyping of immune cells for downstream processes."
DeNovix launched two dedicated nuclei counting apps to differentiate isolated nuclei and intact cells from debris. These apps are provided free of charge as an update to the DeNovix EasyApps™ software and are designed for use with their CellDrop Automated Cell Counter.
The CellDrop Series is a line of image-based, automated cell counter systems. They include an HD 7-inch touchscreen with options for live previews or instant reviews of results. The software also delivers rapid cell counts, viability reports and transfection efficiency assays. CellDrop Automated Cell Counters are available in both brightfield and dual fluorescence + brightfield models.
“CellDrop instruments are an important quality control step in workflows for applications such as ATAC-Seq and RNA-Seq,” said David Ash, DeNovix Applications Director. “The new nuclei counting software apps are optimized for either trypan blue or AO/PI fluorescence. Samples are analyzed in under 10 seconds, providing scientists with quality metrics including nuclei counts, live cell counts and extraction efficiency.”
Biotium introduced their new ExoBrite™ Antibody Conjugates, specifically designed for detecting exosome markers CD9, CD63, and CD81 in isolated exosomes or exosome extracts with little to no background. These antibodies were launched as a response to the increasing interest in extracellular vesicles (EVs), including exosomes, potential role as targets for diagnostic and drug delivery applications.
ExoBrite™ Flow Antibody Conjugates and ExoBrite™ Western Antibody Conjugates were developed for optimal detection of CD9, CD63, and CD81 exosome markers for both flow cytometry and western blotting. ExoBrite™ Flow Antibodies were designed to detect isolated or bead-bound EVs by flow cytometry. They are currently available in four different conjugates: ExoBrite™ 410/450 (Pacific Blue™ channel), ExoBrite™ 490/515 (FITC channel), ExoBrite™ 560/585 (PE channel with yellow laser), and ExoBrite™ R-PE (PE channel).
ExoBrite™ Western Antibodies were developed for detecting exosome markers in EV extracts by near-IR fluorescent western blot. The antibodies are available with two near-infrared fluorescent dyes, ExoBrite™ 680/700 and ExoBrite™ 770/800, which offer increased signal-to-noise for western blotting than dyes with visible light emission.
Bruker launched PhenoRisk PACS™ RuO, a research-use-only NMR test to assess blood samples of patients with PACS (Post-Acute COVID Syndrome) and identify early-stage risk factors. The test utilizes a combination of biomarkers discovered at the Australian National Phenome Center at Murdoch University, spearheaded by Director Jeremy Nicholson.
“PhenoRisk PACS™ RuO is an automated, easy to use and standardized approach to investigate the complex metabolomic signatures induced by SARS-CoV-2,” said Dr. Oscar Millet, leader of the Precision Medicine and Metabolism group at CIC bioGUNE in Bilbao, Spain. “It enables clinical research on the screening and monitoring of long-term sequelae after acute COVID-19, in patients with long COVID syndrome, and even in asymptomatic subjects — a breakthrough in understanding PACS.”
PhenoRisk PACS™ RuO has the potential to quantitatively discriminate PACS patients from healthy or fully recovered individuals by analyzing COVID-triggered pheno-conversion, which is defined as transient or persistent systemic changes of molecular signatures in human plasma samples post-infection. Additionally, the test quantifies composite signals for groups of phospholipids and glycoproteins, indicating inflammation and cardiovascular disease risk.
Bruker boasts these markers’ ability to discriminate COVID-19 from controls, and the Glyc/SPC ratio has been proposed as a useful molecular marker for long COVID, which could significantly augment current clinical and therapeutic research efforts.
Bio-Rad launched their EconoFit Low-Pressure Prepackaged Chromatography Column Packs for resin screening experiments and protein purification workflows. From targeting new proteins to improving existing workflows, this kit offers prepackaged resins suitable for various research needs, including mixed-mode, cation, and anion exchange resin columns. There's also a pack designed explicitly for His-tag protein purification.
These columns are available in both 1 ml and 5 ml sizes and are fully compatible with Bio-Rad's NGC Chromatography Systems and other commonly used chromatography systems.
"Similar resins can give different results for different target molecules, and with Bio-Rad's EconoFit Column Packs our customers can easily perform resin scouting to identify the one which yields the best outcome for their chromatography application," said Ertan Ozyamak, PhD, Bio-Rad Global Product Manager for lab-scale chromatography products.
PerkinElmer announced three new research-use only (RUO) library preparation kits, NEXTFLEX® Small RNA-Seq Kit v4, NEXTFLEX® Rapid XP V2 DNA-Seq Kit and PG-Seq™ Rapid Kit v2. “The new kits eliminate some of the most pressing technical and operational pain points associated with NGS library preparation today,” said Arvind Kothandaraman, managing director of specialty diagnostics at PerkinElmer.
The NEXTFLEX® Small RNA-Seq Kit v4 can produce sequence-ready small-RNA libraries in approximately six hours and allows multiplexing of 384 samples per run using unique dual-index barcodes. The NEXTFLEX® Rapid XP V2 DNA-Seq Kit includes proprietary NEXTFLEX® normalization beads that provide a consistent mass and cluster density for all DNA samples in a library pool. This shortens the time required for quantification and pooling preparation for sequencing by up to three hours per 96 samples.
PG-Seq™ Rapid Kit v2 analyzes picogram quantities of DNA from an embryo biopsy for preimplantation genetic research with enhanced whole genome coverage and accuracy. This kit includes all reagents required for cell lysis, whole genome amplification, and indexing, along with the PG-Find™ analysis software for automatic calling of aneuploidy and copy number variants.
Absolute Antibody announced the expansion of its Prometheus™ antibody humanization service to include humanization from various non-murine origin species, including rabbit antibodies and single-domain camelid nanobodies. This service now delivers humanized antibodies from numerous species while maintaining antibody expression levels and functionality.
While initially focused on rat and mouse antibodies, the Prometheus™ humanization service has grown to include a full panel of humanized antibody variants. Absolute Antibody’s humanization approach was informed using structure-guided CDR grafting onto preferred germline backbones selected for fundamental manufacturing properties. The service focuses on antibody manufacturability for increased expression, lower aggregation, and long-term stability and solubility.
“Expanding our antibody humanization service to popular non-murine species enables therapeutics developers to harness the functional and structural advantages of antibodies from non-traditional source organisms,” said Dr. Michael Fiebig, Chief Scientific Officer at Absolute Antibody.
The new AQUIOS STEM System enables complete automation of stem cell enumeration to minimize hands-on time by 95%, reduces error-prone steps by 87.5%, and decreases turn-around time, according to a recent Beckman Coulter press release. The system was designed with leading experts in the field of clinical CD34+ enumeration, and is a modular approach to automated and IVD-certified analysis of CD34+ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells.
The system runs on the AQUIOS CL Flow Cytometer, which combines sample preparation and analysis in one compact platform.
Full traceability is enabled by barcoded vials to ensure a comprehensive audit trail and simplify quality management. A single tube loader also allows for priority treatment of emergency samples, enabling laboratory staff to handle urgent requests. The system can reduce the need for laboratory developed tests (LDTs), fostered by a flexible IVD assay setup, including three different validated panel options and innovative automated algorithms, allowing labs to maintain compliance regardless of the guidelines they follow.