Expression Analysis is First Provider of NuGEN Technologies' Solution for FFPE Specimens
Innovative amplification and labeling system enables whole transcriptome expression profiling from small and degraded FFPE samples for Expression Analysis customers
Durham, N.C. (March 27, 2007)— Expression Analysis, Inc., the industry’s leading provider of Affymetrix GeneChip® brand microarray services for clinical trials, announced today an agreement with NuGEN Technologies, Inc. to offer genomic services using the WT-Ovation™ FFPE System. This whole transcriptome amplification solution is based on NuGEN's proprietary Ribo-SPIA™ technology for gene expression profiling of small and degraded RNA samples derived from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues. NuGEN has made the system available exclusively through Expression Analysis until the product is commercially launched.
Almost all oncology clinical specimens are preserved as FFPE blocks and stored for years in hospital repositories. "While expression profiling has been used extensively in fresh tissue specimens, RNA samples isolated from FFPE blocks are usually so degraded that expression profiling is impossible," said Steve McPhail, CEO of Expression Analysis. "The NuGEN FFPE System generates useful targets even from these degraded RNA samples. It allows our clients to fully utilize their substantial banks of FFPE resources. Expression Analysis has been using NuGEN products for their genomic services. It's a pleasure to be a part of the development of their exciting new FFPE solution."
In recent months, Expression Analysis helped optimize the WT-Ovation FFPE System laboratory protocol and its RNA quality assessment procedures. “We validated the kit on RNA specimens derived from FFPE tissues that were stored for different periods of time and compared the results with matched flash frozen tissue,” said Dr. Tom Goralski, Vice President of Laboratory Operations. “We are impressed by the ease, sensitivity and repeatability of the system. After hybridization to Affymetrix GeneChip arrays, targets generated by the NuGEN FFPE WT-Ovation System detected more than twice as many transcripts as other target preparation methods.”
“We’re very excited about the potential of this new solution. Expression Analysis has been an excellent partner for optimizing the performance of the product,” said Garry Miyada, Vice President of Development for NuGEN. “Giving Expression Analysis exclusive rights for a period of time allows hundreds of researchers the choice to run small pilot projects before the commercial release or to outsource a large repository of specimens to a trusted genomics services company with a first class reputation”
About Expression Analysis, Inc.
Expression Analysis, Inc. (http://www.expressionanalysis.com) is the industry’s leading provider of microarray-based genomic services for clinical trials. Specializing in gene expression and genotyping assays on Affymetrix GeneChip® microarrays, the company also provides complementary services using Illumina, Luminex and Applied Biosystems' TaqMan® technology.
About NuGEN Technologies, Inc.
NuGEN Technologies (http://www.nugeninc.com), based in San Carlos, CA, is focused on the development and commercialization of sensitive, rapid and high-throughput amplification and labeling systems to enable the comprehensive analysis and discovery of biological mechanisms, cellular responses, and disease pathologies.
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