Genomic Researchers to Benefit from New Gene Expression Analysis Assays

A series of test kits is now on the market that enables researchers to visualize quickly gene expression in individual cells or in tissue samples at a high level of sensitivity.

The Affymetrix Inc. (Santa Clara, CA, USA) "QuantiGene ViewRNA” assays use a novel oligonucleotide-probe design that can be universally applied to any gene of interest.

The fast, five-hour assays can be carried out in 96-well or high-throughput 384-well formats. The assays' high specificity, bright signals, multiplex capability, and use across broad sample types, including tissues and blood, provide researchers with a new level of in situ gene expression analysis.

QuantiGene ViewRNA Assays are recommended for use in a number of applications, including: quantifying target mRNA following RNAi gene silencing; biomarker validation testing; stem cell characterization, differentiation, and quality control; viral host cell interactions; and validating microarray gene-expression results.

"Researchers are excited about the multiplex assay because it allows them to simultaneously detect up to four individual transcripts in a cell's native state without recombinant manipulation,” said George Bers, general manager of the QuantiGene portfolio at Affymetrix. "The tissue-based assay is generating strong interest because it can detect genes in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) or cryogenic tissue sections. These sample types are normally difficult to use, and now researchers in drug discovery and development, molecular pathology, translational medicine, oncology, and neurosciences can pinpoint genes in specific cells of interest within complex tissues.”

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