LabMedica

Download Mobile App
Recent News Expo Clinical Chem. Molecular Diagnostics Hematology Immunology Microbiology Pathology Technology Industry Focus

Customized Assays Assembled Using Digital Molecular Barcoding Chemistry

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 31 Jul 2013
Print article
A line of General Purpose Reagents (GPRs) was developed specifically to meet the needs of translational research and clinical laboratories.

NanoString Technologies, Inc. (Seattle, WA, USA), a provider of life science tools for translational research and molecular diagnostic products, announced an Early Access Program for nCounter Elements, a line of General Purpose Reagents (GPRs). The announcement was made at the annual meeting of the American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC) taking place in Houston (TX, USA) from July 28—August 1, 2013.

nCounter Elements GPRs enable researchers to independently develop multiplexed genomic assays, and then rapidly translate those assays into clinical diagnostics offered as laboratory developed tests.

A digital molecular barcoding chemistry, nCounter Elements allows users to assemble their own customized assays using standard sets of barcodes provided by NanoString and probes that they can purchase independently from an oligonucleotide manufacturer.

"This launch further supports NanoString's vision of helping researchers to advance their understanding of disease, and then directly apply that knowledge to molecular diagnostics," said Brad Gray, president and CEO of NanoString Technologies. "By opening our technology to laboratories developing innovative diagnostics, we can accelerate the growth of our business in clinical laboratories and reach even more patients than we could through the development of in vitro diagnostic products alone."

The nCounter Elements reagents have been registered with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA; Silver Spring, MD, USA) as a General Purpose Reagent, and are available for use in developing Laboratory Developed Tests, pursuant to a licensing arrangement to be offered by NanoString. In addition, the highly flexible architecture of nCounter Elements enables a broad range of basic research studies where iterative design and refinement of assays are important.

Since the completion of the sequencing of the human genome, many clinically relevant biomarkers and signatures have been identified. However, it has not always been possible to validate highly multiplexed assays that can both reliably test clinical samples, such as tissue biopsies stored as Formalin-Fixed Paraffin Embedded (FFPE) samples, and be easily implemented in a clinical laboratory. With nCounter Elements GPRs, this has become possible.

The nCounter-based Prosigna Breast Cancer Prognostic Gene Signature Assay is the first in vitro diagnostic kit to be marketed through the company's diagnostics business. It has received the CE marking and it is available for use by healthcare professionals in the European Union and other countries that recognize the CE marking, and in which Prosigna is registered; it is pending 510(k) clearance with the FDA and is not yet available for sale in the United States.

Related Links:
NanoString Technologies, Inc.
Food and Drug Administration


Platinum Member
COVID-19 Rapid Test
OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
Magnetic Bead Separation Modules
MAG and HEATMAG
Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide Test
GPP-100 Anti-CCP Kit
New
Gold Member
Magnetic Bead Separation Modules
MAG and HEATMAG

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: The 3D printed miniature ionizer is a key component of a mass spectrometer (Photo courtesy of MIT)

3D Printed Point-Of-Care Mass Spectrometer Outperforms State-Of-The-Art Models

Mass spectrometry is a precise technique for identifying the chemical components of a sample and has significant potential for monitoring chronic illness health states, such as measuring hormone levels... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The CAPILLARYS 3 DBS devices have received U.S. FDA 510(k) clearance (Photo courtesy of Sebia)

Next Generation Instrument Screens for Hemoglobin Disorders in Newborns

Hemoglobinopathies, the most widespread inherited conditions globally, affect about 7% of the population as carriers, with 2.7% of newborns being born with these conditions. The spectrum of clinical manifestations... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: The AI predictive model identifies the most potent cancer killing immune cells for use in immunotherapies (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

AI Predicts Tumor-Killing Cells with High Accuracy

Cellular immunotherapy involves extracting immune cells from a patient's tumor, potentially enhancing their cancer-fighting capabilities through engineering, and then expanding and reintroducing them into the body.... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: The T-SPOT.TB test is now paired with the Auto-Pure 2400 liquid handling platform for accurate TB testing (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

Integrated Solution Ushers New Era of Automated Tuberculosis Testing

Tuberculosis (TB) is responsible for 1.3 million deaths every year, positioning it as one of the top killers globally due to a single infectious agent. In 2022, around 10.6 million people were diagnosed... Read more