Amersham Biosciences introduces new universal microarray control product

Lucidea™ Universal ScoreCard™ validates and normalizes microarray data

14-Jun-2002

Piscataway, NJ – June 12, 2002 – Amersham Biosciences, the Life Sciences business of Amersham plc (LSE: NYSE: OSE: AHM) has launched a set of microarray reagent controls as its newest edition to its Lucidea™-branded gene expression product line. Lucidea Universal ScoreCard™ reagent kit works with any cDNA deposition platform, regardless of instrument type and independent of species, to validate and normalize microarray data. Lucidea Universal ScoreCard overcomes two key problems in microarray data analysis: defining signal-to-noise ratios to validate gene Expression data; and reproducing and interpreting microarray data from experiment to experiment and laboratory to laboratory. “We designed these controls to be independent of species, sample type, and deposition platform,” said Michael Pettigrew, Vice President, Marketing, genomics. “Every researcher doing cDNA microarray studies can use Lucidea Universal ScoreCard. This cross-platform control capability will allow the microarray market to take the first important steps toward standardization.” Controls provided in predetermined concentrations allow for correlation between signal intensities and the actual mass units of mRNA present. This enables a shift in microarray data analysis away from relative quantification and toward real quantification, which allows for comparative microarray data analysis. Calibration curves generated for the Cy™3 and Cy5 channels enable Determination of limits of detection, linear range, and data saturation. DNA spotting samples allow users to reconstitute DNA using a spotting buffer of choice and to format samples for any size microwell plate. Lucidea Universal ScoreCard includes four types of controls: DNA spotting samples: 10 calibration controls – artificial genes provided as lyophilized DNA samples, each in its own tube; and 8 ratio controls spanning low to high expression levels. mRNA spike mix: 18 mRNA controls that complement the DNA spotting samples and generate signals for calibration curve determination and ratio controls. Two negative controls: to estimate nonspecific hybridization and potential carry-over within the microarray system. Three utility controls: for use at different stages of sample preparation to evaluate sample recovery efficiencies and identify problematic purification steps. Lucidea Universal Scorecard reagent kits come in three sizes: a trial size for performing 20 hybridizations, and kits for 200 or 1000 experiments.

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