25/01/12: IDT Launch gBlocks, a Revolutionary New Approach to Gene Synthesis & Alternative to Cloning
January 25, 2012 by Peter · Leave a Comment
I am sooo excited about this new product from IDT. By making genes more affordable, while significantly increasing the speed of delivery, IDT are making synthetic genes more accessible to labs than they have been before.
In short, gBlocks™ Gene Fragments are double-stranded, sequence-verified DNA blocks up to 500 bp in length that can be shipped in 3–4 working days. You define the sequence. Prices are great (EUR 89/DKK 662/ SEK 787), which makes them a realistic alternative to cloning. Users can simply order individual gBlocks, assemble them and drop them straight into their favourite vector.
Anyway, enough from me. If you want to learn some more, please visit the IDT website and try them out!
Update, 27th January:
There are several resources on isothermal assembly, which is one of the recommended methods by which gBlocks can be used to create larger gene fragments. Here is the protocol on the Megason Lab wiki page. The page also contains a link to the original Nature Methods paper, describing the technique.
I wonder if it is just a matter of time before a commercial kit comes out for this…
11/01/12: Video of Integrated DNA Technologies’ (IDT) European Facility
January 11, 2012 by Peter · Leave a Comment
It is great to be able to find further information on IDT available on the internet. I think that the following will be interesting to a lot of customers who are currently using IDT: A video of the IDT European facility in Leuven, Belgium. The US sites will have a lot of similarities of course. Have you ever wondered what a world-class oligonucleotide synthesis facility looks like? Wonder no more…
15/12/11: Agilent Launch the 2200 TapeStation System
December 15, 2011 by Peter · Leave a Comment
OK, I am way way behind in updating my news section. This particular product was launched about a month ago under the Agilent banner. I’ve already been on a couple of customer demonstrations with it and am very impressed with the ease-of-use and fast sample processing. This is coming from a huge fan of the 2100 Bioanalyzer (which is a brilliant instrument).
There is a short and informative video explaining the TapeStation system on You Tube, which I’ve embedded below. Please take a few minutes to watch it. You’ve gotta love the flying ScreenTapes:
The new Agilent 2200 TapeStation system offers scalable throughput and rapid results, making it an ideal solution for quality control of biological samples in next-generation sequencing (NGS), microrarray and qPCR workflows, as well as in protein purification and antibody production.
The 2200 TapeStation system uses credit card-sized, disposable Agilent ScreenTape that is available for DNA, RNA and protein applications. Sample analysis has never been so easy – simply load the 2200 TapeStation instrument with ScreenTape, loading tips, and your samples in tube strips or 96-well microtiter plates – and you will be reviewing results in approximately 1 minute per sample!
There is a demonstration TapeStation available in the Nordic countries that I can get access to. A demonstration will take about 90 minutes in total (it is really very fast). If you would like a demonstration, or would like to learn more, please contact me.
04/10/11: Information on Agilent’s Autumn Promotions for Genomics Researchers
October 4, 2011 by Peter · Leave a Comment
Agilent are running a bunch of promotions on genomics-related product this Autumn (actually it’s turning out to be the nicest time of year, given the wet Summer). They are summarized here:
- Bioreagents: Buy 3 Stratagene products, get the cheapest one for 1 DKK
- Brilliant III: Buy 1 kit of Brilliant III qPCR reagents, get a second one for free
- Genespring & microarrays: Get 50% off your Genespring data analysis software annual licence when you order > DKK 112K of genomics products
- SureSelect: Buy 1 SureSelect target enrichment kit and get a second one for free (valid for 5 to 25 reaction kits)
- SureCycler bundles: Combine our SureCycler 8800 PCR instrument with our Mx 3005P real-time PCR instrument or with our microchip electrophoresis system (Bioanalyzer 2100 or Lab 901 TapeStation) and get 30% off your bundle
You can also go to the Official Agilent Autumn Promotion page.
Save time by contacting me directly if you are interested.
26/09/11: Symposium on 2nd Generation Sequencing, Copenhagen 28th September 2011
September 26, 2011 by Peter · Leave a Comment
This looks like being a really interesting meeting. Agilent will have an exhibit there, so if you plan on coming along, I hope to meet you.
Symposium on 2nd Generation Sequencing, Wednesday 28th September 2011, Lundbeck Auditorium, Biocenter, Ole Maaloes Vej 5, Copenhagen.
The meeting agenda can be downloaded here.
13/09/11: Free e-Seminar Today on “Use of Exome Sequencing to Identify Genetic Variants Contributing to Monogenic Forms of Type 2 Diabetes”
September 13, 2011 by Peter · Leave a Comment
A last minute alert to users (or those interested in) targeted exome sequencing. The seminar is free online, starts at 1700 Central European Time and titled
Use of Exome Sequencing to Identify Genetic Variants Contributing to Monogenic Forms of Type 2 Diabetes by Amélie Bonnefond (CNRS, Paris)
You can register here. You will need to do some downloading of WebEx software beforehand, so be ready for a few minutes delay…
12/09/11: Recombinant protein expression in Bacillus subtilis
September 12, 2011 by Peter · Leave a Comment
Just received this news from BioSilta and think it will be of interest to quite a few. Further down is a link to detailed info, but here are the headlines:
17-fold increase in specific activity
When compared with LB, the EnPresso medium delivered a 17-fold increase in beta-galactosidase activity after 48 hours. The pH value remained stable between 7.0 and 7.5.
90-fold increase in volumetric yield
Compared to LB, the EnPresso medium delivered a volumetric yield of up to 90-fold.
Details of Materials and Methods, Results and Conclusions are available as a Poster:
Please click here to download: protein expression in Bacillus subtilis, http://www.biosilta.com/webyep-system/program/download.php?FILENAME=65-9-at-Poster_PDF.pdf&ORG_FILENAME=Bacillus.Protein.Society.2011.pdf
Enjoy! And if you would like a free trial of EnBase, please don’t hesitate to contact You Do Bio.
09/09/11: Using PrimeTime qPCR Assays in Multiplex Experiments
September 9, 2011 by Peter · Leave a Comment
IDT have posted a short article on their website about using their PrimeTime qPCR Assays in multiplex assays. The PrimeTime assays themselves allow researchers to change the primer:probe ratio and use well-separated fluorescent dyes on the probes. Read the article to get further insight.
07/09/11: Alert: MIQE Seminars in Copenhagen and Aarhus, September 27th and 29th
September 7, 2011 by Peter · Leave a Comment
Just a short post to inform researchers in Denmark about the upcoming MIQE Events in Copenhagen and Aarhus.
I am very lucky in being able to get Raza Ahmed from Agilent’s genomics team over for a few days. Raza has tons of experience in qPCR, having worked for Stratagene before they became part of Agilent. Raza has agreed to give an introduction to MIQE (read more on the Events page) that should serve to educate and inform researchers about the guidelines. There will be plenty of time to ask Raza about qPCR subjects not related to MIQE as well.
Please come along, say “hej”, listen and learn and enjoy a coffee.
23/08/11: New SureSelect Brochure and Educational Website Launched
August 23, 2011 by Peter · Leave a Comment
SureSelect has a new brochure and educational website, so without further ado, here they are:
1. New SureSelect Brochure. This new piece goes through the SureSelect product portfolio, at the same time highlighting all key SureSelect benefits.
2. New SureSelect Educational Website. The key goals of the new website are to help educate researchers on SureSelect and to help customers easily find support and sales documents. In the Educational website, you will find videos, webinars, publications, manuals/protocols, etc.
Select the DNA you need for your Next Generation Sequencing Project
16/08/11: Agilent Launch their SureScan Microarray Scanner!
August 16, 2011 by Peter · Leave a Comment
This is from Agilent’s press release of yesterday. Sounds pretty good (if you don’t want to read the corporate stuff, skip to the bottom of this post to find a couple of information sheets, as well as a picture of the new instrument):
Agilent today introduced the SureScan Microarray Scanner, the latest innovation in scanner technology and the foundation of Agilent’s complete microarray solution for both gene expression and CGH/cytogenetics research applications.
The new SureScan system delivers the highest sensitivity, widest dynamic range and exceptional resolution, providing researchers with the greatest degree of confidence in their microarray results.
In addition, the manufacturing process used on the SureScan Microarray Scanner is ISO 13485 certified, demonstrating Agilent’s commitment in assuring controlled processes.
The SureScan system offers a streamlined workflow, allowing researchers to continuously load microarray slides while the instrument is operating. With the system’s random scanning capability, they can also reprioritize and rearrange the scan queue order at any point during the operation.
Raw image data is automatically loaded into Agilent Feature Extraction software, eliminating manual transfer.
The compact Agilent SureScan Microarray Scanner (16.5 in. high, 17 in. wide and 26 in. deep) conserves bench space. The system also combines a newly designed slide cover and a built-in ozone barrier system to minimize dye signal degradation, protecting valuable samples.
Extremely sensitive results are achieved by the unique dynamic autofocus mechanism in conjunction with a detection limit of as low as 0.01 fluorophores per square micron. These enable users to capture quality data from samples with both low and high signals.
“Researchers can be confident that the new SureScan system will deliver consistently good microarray results for many years to come,” said Robert Schueren, Agilent vice president and general manager, Genomics. “With our market-leading portfolio of microarrays, custom microarrays, reagents and software, our customers can invest in one platform knowing that it will fit a wide range of research needs.”
As promised, here are two PDF files that give a nice overview of the SureScan Microarray Scanner and how you can get the best use out of it!
1. Surescan Microarray Scanner Technical Data Sheet
15/08/11: Agilent Bioreagent and SureCycler Promotion (Denmark only)
August 15, 2011 by Peter · Leave a Comment
How nice: promotion that is specific to researchers in Denmark! In summary, you get the following great offer:
Promotional offer on StrataClone PCR Cloning kits, Competent Cells and Quikchange Lightning Mutagenesis kits (PDF file)
- Receive a 20% discount on StrataClone PCR Cloning Kit
- Buy 3 packs of competent cells receive your cheapest pack for free (this can be any competent cell)
- Receive a 20% discount on QuikChange Lightning kits
Order Promo Code: 1106_QCL. Offers ends October 31, 2011
On the flyer you will see mention of Agilent’s new 8800 SureCycler PCR Instrument and 30% discount, if you purchase any bioreagent using the above offers.
11/08/11: Looking for a “Model Organism” SureSelect All Exome Kit?
August 11, 2011 by Peter · Leave a Comment
This is just a short email and “shout out” to those researchers who are doing next-gen sequencing on model organisms and are interested in Agilent’s SureSelect targeted sequencing product. Please contact me – I might well be able to help you!
05/08/11: EnBase is now available for Yeast Biotransformations
August 5, 2011 by Peter · Leave a Comment
It is now possible to use EnBase to obtain high cell densities and the ability to have effective growth in small cultures of yeast! This is great news and reflects the hard work that the BioSilta team have been putting into developing an improved cell culture medium for yeast.
Please take a look at this document (PDF) that describes the features of this new medium and how it can help you, if your research involves studying yeast:
BioSilta NEW EnBase technology now available for yeast biotransformations
05/08/11: Use IDT to Order 454 GS FLX System Extended MID Rapid Library Set
August 5, 2011 by Peter · Leave a Comment
This product came to my attention very recently, after talking to a customer. Access all available Molecular Identifier (MID) tags available. MIDs will allow identifying tags to be placed on multiple libraries so that they may be multiplexed for sequencing.
If you are a researcher who is using the 454 GS FLX system, it is possible to get the entire MID library from IDT (120 MIDs) from IDT. For customers that need more MIDs than the twelve supplied by 454 in the GS FLX Titanium Rapid Library MID Adaptors Kit, this Extended List provides additional sequences that have been optimized for MID applications.
29/06/11: Agilent’s Summer Promotion on Genomics Products
June 29, 2011 by Peter · Leave a Comment
I am pleased to inform you (well, if you are a researcher in Denmark at least) of Agilent’s Summer promotion on genomics products. The promotion is valid from now(28 June 2011) until August 31st 2011. Headlines below, with a bit more detailed information beneath each heading
Contact me if you are interested.
Update 12 July: Agilent have a Summer Promotion webpage now live.
Purchase the New SureCycle PCR Instrument Together with the Mx3005P qPCR Instrument and get 30% off the Bundle
This is possibly the best offer of the whole promotion. The SureCycler is the hottest new instrument from Agilent, very cool (connect to it from a mobile device) with great specs. The Mx3005P is a well-proven and robust qPCR instrument that won’t let you down.
Purchase the Bioanalyzer with Agilent SureCycler 8800 or with >5000€ of Bioreagents and get 30% off the Total Bundle
Hmm. On second thoughts, perhaps this the the best of the Summer Promos. It really depends on what you are after. Of course, Bioreagents can mean a lot of things: PCR enzymes/kits, nucleic acid sample prep and qPCR reagents would be the most obvious. The combination of the Bioanalyzer with qPCR reagents sounds like a good combination to me, given that the Bioanalyzer is great for doing QC on RNA.
Get 50% off Absolutely RNA extraction kit when you purchase Bioanalyzer reagents
For those of you who are reguarly ordering Bioanalyzer kits (and that means lots of you), this is a great opportunity to try out one of Agilent’s best nucleic acid purification lines. The Absolutely RNA extraction kits come in a number of size options (mini-, micro- and nano-prep) and there are kits for miRNA and FFPE samples too. This is really a great excuse for you to try out these kits, especially if you haven’t had a lot of success with what you are currently using.
10,000€ discount on your genomics consumables order when you purchase an Agilent Bravo Automated Liquid Handling Platform
OK, so not everyone has the money available for an Agilent Bravo. However, if you are in the market for a small-footprint, very fast and accurate pipetting workstation, you really have to consider the Bravo. You will save many many days of work by having a Bravo in your lab, not to mention saving your pipetting thumb!
10,000€ (about DKK 75K) will get you a lot of genomics consumables.
Genespring and exon arrays: buy 5000€ of exon arrays and get 25% off your Genespring annual license, buy 10k€ of exon arrays and get 50% off the annual license.
Yes, it is that simple. Purchase Agilent’s high-quality exon arrays and get a big saving on the GeneSpring license (which you can then use to analyse all that lovely data and put into a biological context).
The Exon arrays are available for human, mouse and rat.
So that is the summary of Agilent’s Summer Promotion on genomics products. It looks pretty good to me and will mean that you come back from your Summer holiday with new gear to get into your research again after the break.
27/06/11: Break Free! Trade-In Your Affymetrix GeneChip Scanner and Get 50% off the Agilent Scanner
June 27, 2011 by Peter · Leave a Comment
This post is to alert genomics customers who have an Affymetrix system that Agilent are offering a trade-in deal that allows them to get 50% off the Agilent High-Resolution Scanner. Any arrays purchased at the same time will also receive the 50% promotional discount.
The promotion is valid from now until December 31st 2011. Further details are available on the Agilent website.
23/06/11: BioCision Launches New Tools for Cell Cryopreservation
June 23, 2011 by Peter · Leave a Comment
An excerpt from a recent BioCision press release:
“BioCision, the coolprep™ company, today announced the release of three new cryopreservation systems: CoolCell® FTS™30, the first large-capacity, high-density cell freezing system; CoolCell SV2 for freezing cells in larger diameter 2ml vials; and CoolCell 5ml for large cryovial freezing. All CoolCell freezing solutions deliver a controlled freezing rate of -1oC/minute in a -80oC freezer, with high reproducibility of freezing profiles and consistent cell viability and function after thawing. The patented alloy-based technology allows maintenance-free operation and is a significant alternative to conventional freezing methods or programmable freezers.”
Read the full press release here.
14/06/11: Agilent Genomics e-Seminar Series on NGS Data Analysis Software
June 14, 2011 by Peter · Leave a Comment
There are a bunch of upcoming e-Seminars from Agilent. Take a look at the details below. Since data analysis is one of the most often cited issues in today’s research, this should be interesting!
Bioinformatics eSeminars
Full ScheduleJune 14
Introduction to GeneSpring NGS Data Analysis Software
Speaker: Jean Jasinski, PhDLearn about the input data types accepted and the analysis workflows for RNA-Seq and DNA-Seq analyses—from aligned data through biological contextualization tools. Specifically designed to be compatible with Agilent’s SureSelect™ Target Enrichment System, GeneSpring NGS provides Quality metrics and SureSelect-specific workflows to enable focused analysis on your regions of interest.
June 15
Introduction to ChIP-Seq in Avadis NGS Software
Speaker: Jean Jasinski, PhD
Learn the workflow specific for ChIP-Sequence data analysis including importing aligned data, peak-finding, motif detection, and scanning the genome for other putative binding sites. See how the biological contextualization tools help you gain insight into the biology in your ChIP-seq data. Learn about the advanced tools for data manipulation built into the Avadis NGS tool for manipulating and filtering region lists.
June 24
Comparing Affymetrix and Agilent gene expression data in GeneSpring Software
Speaker: Dipa RoyChoudhury, PhD
Learn what functions, workflows, and visualization tools are available in GeneSpring to help you compare Affymetrix and Agilent microarray expression data.
July 6
Introduction to RNA-Seq in GeneSpring NGS Software
Speaker: Dipa RoyChoudhury, PhD
Learn the workflows specific for next generation RNA sequencing including differential gene and exon expression, alternative splicing, gene fusions, finding new genes and exons and visualizing changes in a Genome Browser and in a network/pathway module. Also included is the ability to detect and analyze SNPs & InDels. See how SureSelect enhances the RNA-Seq workflow.
July 8
Introduction to DNA-Seq in GeneSpring NGS Software
Speaker: Jean Jasinski, PhD
Learn the workflows specific for next generation DNA sequencing including SNP detection, predicted effects SNPs, multi-sample SNP reports, and which SNPs are differentially expressed across a pair of samples (tumor and normal). For paired end libraries, see how INDELS, translocations, and inversions are detected.
View abstracts and register at: www.agilent.com/genomics/eSeminarSeries
31/05/11: New BioSilta Catalogue Available
May 31, 2011 by Peter · Leave a Comment
Calling all microbial cell culture enthusiasts: the latest BioSilta catalogue has recently been released. A very nice job it is too. Please download a copy here (opens PDF file in a new window).
