MicroRNA Analyisis of Archival FFPE
November 20, 2009 by Peter · Leave a Comment
Link to a new Agilent application note describing miRNA analysis of FFPE samples: Link to abstract and PDF
SureSelect paper
November 17, 2009 by Peter · Leave a Comment
A paper demonstrating the use of Agilent’s SureSelect Target Enrichment System in the study of healthy aging, published in the journal Genome Biology. In the SureSelect study the authors targeted approximately 3.6 Mb of genomic loci putatively associated with aging. The paper can be downloaded for free at the following web page http://genomebiology.com/content/pdf/gb-2009-10-10-r116.pdf .
Agilent Automation
November 17, 2009 by Peter · Leave a Comment
I put this page on here simply because not many researchers know that Agilent has it’s own automation division (liquid handling and microplate handling) . It used to be called Velocity 11, but is now called Agilent Automation Solutions. They have excellent products, from simple microplate sealers and centrifuges, up to complex integrated systems.
Agilent can explain it better than I can – you can go to the Agilent website to learn more: Agilent Automation Solutions
YouTube has a couple of videos that demonstrate some of the instrument features too. The second shows the Bravo, which is a very fast and versatile liquid handling worksation:
Amazing value customized qPCR assays
November 16, 2009 by Peter · Leave a Comment
IDT now provides gold-standard performance 5’ nuclease gene expression assays as PrimeTime qPCR Assays. Researchers can use a free online qPCR assay design tool for complete customization. Every assay undergoes 100% QC by mass spectrometry with the QC data available free of charge to all customers.
The prices for PrimeTime qPCR assays is very attractive. For example:
100 rxns is just DKK 409 / SEK 563
500 rxns is just DKK 670 / SEK 922
2500 rxns is just DKK 1972 / SeK 2715
To learn more, please visit the PrimeTime page on IDT’s website.
Videos explaining MIQE guidelines
November 11, 2009 by Peter · Leave a Comment
Browsing through You Tube just now, I found these videos illustrating the concepts of the MIQE (Minimum Information for Publication of Quantitative Real-Time PCR Experiments) guidelines. These focus on how to apply the guidelines to design a solid experimental approach for RT-qPCR. There are four videos in total. The sound is a bit “fuzzy,” but the content is a fairly nice overview of MIQE:
Agilent SureSelect Promotions
November 9, 2009 by Peter · Leave a Comment
Agilent are still giving introductory discounts on some of their smaller kit sizes for SureSelect Target Enrichments products. Discounts are available for the custom SureSelect kits and the SureSelect Human All Exon Kits.
Read more about the promotion at this link: http://www.opengenomics.com/Promotions/SureSelect_Next_Gen_Sequencing
H1N1 RT-PCR Primer/Probe Sets
November 6, 2009 by Peter · Leave a Comment
In response to the outbreak of the 2009 H1N1 flu (swine flu), and as a service to the public health laboratory community, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued an Emergency Use Authorization which includes an RT-qPCR Swine Flu Panel test. The CDC is authorized by the FDA to provide the diagnostic test and has made the sequences for the primer and probe sets available. IDT is now offering these sets for Research Use Only (RUO) purposes.
Get more information at this page on IDT’s website: http://eu.idtdna.com/catalog/h1n1/Page1.aspx
Agilent eSeminars
November 4, 2009 by Peter · Leave a Comment
A useful link at the Agilent website, providing links to Agilent online seminars. Go to this link.
The next eSeminar will be on Automating Genomics Applications. There will be a presenation about the automation of several commercial sample preparation and purification assays for RNA, DNA and PCR using the Agilent Bravo Workstation with integrated devices for plate stacking, centrifugation and sealing.
