New Platform Detects MicroRNA Directly in Serum and Plasma
|
By LabMedica International staff writers Posted on 20 Oct 2015 |
Biotech and other life science researchers will benefit from the introduction of a novel microRNA (miRNA) detection platform.
MicroRNAs are a class of about 20 nucleotides-long RNA fragments that block gene expression by attaching to molecules of messenger RNA (mRNA) in a fashion that prevents them from transmitting the protein synthesizing instructions they had received from the DNA.
The biotechnology company SomaGenics (Santa Cruz, CA, USA) has announced the launch of its novel miR-ID platform and assays for detecting miRNA using a circularization-based RT-qPCR method.
The miR-ID platform is highly sensitive, uses single-dye detection, and can discriminate miRNA isoforms with single nucleotide differences at any position along the molecule. The technology works well with all sample sources, including total RNA, cell lysates, and tissue lysates.
"The miR-ID miRNA detection platform is highly sensitive and provides much better sequence discrimination than leading competitors," said Brian Johnston, CEO of SomaGenics. "By using unmodified DNA primers, single-dye detection (SYBR green), and no specialized probes miR-ID helps keep costs low and allows for the rapid development of assays for miRNAs of interest."
In addition to applications with purified RNA samples, miR-ID has been incorporated into SomaGenics' miR-Direct technology for the direct quantification of microRNA from plasma or serum. miR-Direct utilizes solution-phase hybridization to capture probes, greatly improving the detection of low-abundance miRNAs over solid-state capture methods. This step allows concentration of target miRNAs and washing miRNAs to remove qPCR inhibitors, such as heparin, from plasma. By using a capture probe, miR-Direct eliminates the need for total RNA isolation, the most problematic and bias-prone step in currently available miRNA detection kits.
The miR-Direct/ID technology was introduced at the 11th Annual Meeting of the Oligonucleotide Therapeutics Society, which was held October 11-14, 2015, in Leiden, the Netherlands.
Related Links:
SomaGenics
MicroRNAs are a class of about 20 nucleotides-long RNA fragments that block gene expression by attaching to molecules of messenger RNA (mRNA) in a fashion that prevents them from transmitting the protein synthesizing instructions they had received from the DNA.
The biotechnology company SomaGenics (Santa Cruz, CA, USA) has announced the launch of its novel miR-ID platform and assays for detecting miRNA using a circularization-based RT-qPCR method.
The miR-ID platform is highly sensitive, uses single-dye detection, and can discriminate miRNA isoforms with single nucleotide differences at any position along the molecule. The technology works well with all sample sources, including total RNA, cell lysates, and tissue lysates.
"The miR-ID miRNA detection platform is highly sensitive and provides much better sequence discrimination than leading competitors," said Brian Johnston, CEO of SomaGenics. "By using unmodified DNA primers, single-dye detection (SYBR green), and no specialized probes miR-ID helps keep costs low and allows for the rapid development of assays for miRNAs of interest."
In addition to applications with purified RNA samples, miR-ID has been incorporated into SomaGenics' miR-Direct technology for the direct quantification of microRNA from plasma or serum. miR-Direct utilizes solution-phase hybridization to capture probes, greatly improving the detection of low-abundance miRNAs over solid-state capture methods. This step allows concentration of target miRNAs and washing miRNAs to remove qPCR inhibitors, such as heparin, from plasma. By using a capture probe, miR-Direct eliminates the need for total RNA isolation, the most problematic and bias-prone step in currently available miRNA detection kits.
The miR-Direct/ID technology was introduced at the 11th Annual Meeting of the Oligonucleotide Therapeutics Society, which was held October 11-14, 2015, in Leiden, the Netherlands.
Related Links:
SomaGenics
Latest BioResearch News
- Genome Analysis Predicts Likelihood of Neurodisability in Oxygen-Deprived Newborns
- Gene Panel Predicts Disease Progession for Patients with B-cell Lymphoma
- New Method Simplifies Preparation of Tumor Genomic DNA Libraries
- New Tool Developed for Diagnosis of Chronic HBV Infection
- Panel of Genetic Loci Accurately Predicts Risk of Developing Gout
- Disrupted TGFB Signaling Linked to Increased Cancer-Related Bacteria
- Gene Fusion Protein Proposed as Prostate Cancer Biomarker
- NIV Test to Diagnose and Monitor Vascular Complications in Diabetes
- Semen Exosome MicroRNA Proves Biomarker for Prostate Cancer
- Genetic Loci Link Plasma Lipid Levels to CVD Risk
- Newly Identified Gene Network Aids in Early Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Link Confirmed between Living in Poverty and Developing Diseases
- Genomic Study Identifies Kidney Disease Loci in Type I Diabetes Patients
- Liquid Biopsy More Effective for Analyzing Tumor Drug Resistance Mutations
- New Liquid Biopsy Assay Reveals Host-Pathogen Interactions
- Method Developed for Enriching Trophoblast Population in Samples
Channels
Clinical Chemistry
view channel
Compact Raman Imaging System Detects Subtle Tumor Signals
Accurate cancer diagnosis often depends on labor-intensive tissue staining and expert pathological review, which can delay results and limit access to rapid screening. These conventional methods also make... Read more
Noninvasive Blood-Glucose Monitoring to Replace Finger Pricks for Diabetics
People with diabetes often need to measure their blood glucose multiple times a day, most commonly through finger-prick blood tests or implanted sensors. These methods can be painful, inconvenient, and... Read moreMolecular Diagnostics
view channel
World’s First Biomarker Blood Test to Assess MS Progression
Multiple sclerosis (MS) disease activity is caused by an abnormal immune response that results in damage to the brain and spinal cord. However, there is a lack of reliable tools to measure or predict MS progression.... Read more
Neuron-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Could Improve Alzheimer’s Diagnosis
Alzheimer’s disease is becoming increasingly common as global populations age, yet effective treatments for advanced stages remain limited. Early detection is therefore critical, but current diagnostic... Read moreHematology
view channel
MRD Tests Could Predict Survival in Leukemia Patients
Acute myeloid leukemia is an aggressive blood cancer that disrupts normal blood cell production and often relapses even after intensive treatment. Clinicians currently lack early, reliable markers to predict... Read more
Platelet Activity Blood Test in Middle Age Could Identify Early Alzheimer’s Risk
Early detection of Alzheimer’s disease remains one of the biggest unmet needs in neurology, particularly because the biological changes underlying the disorder begin decades before memory symptoms appear.... Read more
Microvesicles Measurement Could Detect Vascular Injury in Sickle Cell Disease Patients
Assessing disease severity in sickle cell disease (SCD) remains challenging, especially when trying to predict hemolysis, vascular injury, and risk of complications such as vaso-occlusive crises.... Read more
ADLM’s New Coagulation Testing Guidance to Improve Care for Patients on Blood Thinners
Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are one of the most common types of blood thinners. Patients take them to prevent a host of complications that could arise from blood clotting, including stroke, deep... Read moreImmunology
view channel
Ultrasensitive Liquid Biopsy Demonstrates Efficacy in Predicting Immunotherapy Response
Immunotherapy has transformed cancer treatment, but only a small proportion of patients experience lasting benefit, with response rates often remaining between 10% and 20%. Clinicians currently lack reliable... Read more
Blood Test Could Identify Colon Cancer Patients to Benefit from NSAIDs
Colon cancer remains a major cause of cancer-related illness, with many patients facing relapse even after surgery and chemotherapy. Up to 40% of people with stage III disease experience recurrence, highlighting... Read moreMicrobiology
view channel
New UTI Diagnosis Method Delivers Antibiotic Resistance Results 24 Hours Earlier
Urinary tract infections affect around 152 million people every year, making them one of the most common bacterial infections worldwide. In routine medical practice, diagnosis often relies on rapid urine... Read more
Breakthroughs in Microbial Analysis to Enhance Disease Prediction
Microorganisms shape human health, ecosystems, and the planet’s climate, yet identifying them and understanding how they are related remains a major scientific challenge. Even with modern DNA sequencing,... Read morePathology
view channel
Genetics and AI Improve Diagnosis of Aortic Stenosis
Aortic stenosis is a progressive narrowing of the aortic valve that restricts blood flow from the heart and can be fatal if left untreated. There are currently no medical therapies that can prevent or... Read more
AI Tool Simultaneously Identifies Genetic Mutations and Disease Type
Interpreting genetic test results remains a major challenge in modern medicine, particularly for rare and complex diseases. While existing tools can indicate whether a genetic mutation is harmful, they... Read more
Rapid Low-Cost Tests Can Prevent Child Deaths from Contaminated Medicinal Syrups
Medicinal syrups contaminated with toxic chemicals have caused the deaths of hundreds of children worldwide, exposing a critical gap in how these products are tested before reaching patients.... Read more
Tumor Signals in Saliva and Blood Enable Non-Invasive Monitoring of Head and Neck Cancer
Head and neck cancers are among the most aggressive malignancies worldwide, with nearly 900,000 new cases diagnosed each year. Monitoring these cancers for recurrence or relapse typically relies on tissue... Read moreTechnology
view channel
AI Predicts Colorectal Cancer Survival Using Clinical and Molecular Features
Colorectal cancer is one of the most common and deadly cancers worldwide, and accurately predicting patient survival remains a major clinical challenge. Traditional prognostic tools often rely on either... Read more
Diagnostic Chip Monitors Chemotherapy Effectiveness for Brain Cancer
Glioblastoma is one of the most aggressive and fatal brain cancers, with most patients surviving less than two years after diagnosis. Treatment is particularly challenging because the tumor infiltrates... Read moreIndustry
view channel
BD and Penn Institute Collaborate to Advance Immunotherapy through Flow Cytometry
BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company, Franklin Lakes, NJ, USA) has entered into a strategic collaboration with the Institute for Immunology and Immune Health (I3H, Philadelphia, PA, USA) at the University... Read more







