System for Quantifying RNA Expression Levels

A new system enables pharmaceutical and biotechnology researchers to rapidly and accurately quantify RNA expression levels in cells treated with potential new drugs.

The system is based on the ArrayPlate technology of High Throughput Genomics, Inc. (HTG, Tucson, AZ, USA), which allows researchers to simultaneously measure RNA expression levels in hundreds of active genes and, by extension, gain critical information about gene expression and protein function. Called PentaDot, the system is comprised of five dots, oligonucleotides, printed at the bottom of each well of a user-programmable, 96-well plate. Each well includes one user-defined target, three housekeeping genes, and one procedural control to ensure assay quality.

Wells can measure the same target gene or each can measure a different target. Researchers program each plate using standard reagents created on site. No DNA extraction, reverse transcription, or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is required. Users can move from gene selection to a validated assay in just one week. HTG says that its transcriptomics products are the only user-definable arrays commercially available that allow multiplexed measurement of RNA expression levels using standard laboratory automation.

"The PentaDot allows customers to redirect resources from sample preparation and quickly obtain highly accurate, reproducible results on gene activity,” said Bruce Seligmann, Ph.D., president and CEO of HTG.




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High Throughput Genomics, Inc.