The September 7 BioArray News story, “RNA Amplification Using T7 Method Gains Popularity as Commercial Version is Introduced,” included a factual error.
The story stated that the RiboAmp protocol, a linear amplification method being marketed by Arcturus, of Mountain View, Calif., is based on the same premise as the Eberwine protocol.
“The RiboAmp process is distinctly different from any of the published Eberwine protocols, and is based on a patent-pending linear amplification method developed at Arcturus,” said Rajiv Raja, a scientist at Arcturus.
“One of the key improvements is the use of exogenous primers and a proprietary enzyme mastermix, which maximizes the reliability of the reaction, minimizes reaction times, and provides greater uniformity in the length of the amplified aRNA product,” Raja said.
The RiboAmp kit, which Arcturus currently sells for $1,125, includes low-elution volume DNA and RNA purification columns and reagents, which are designed for obtaining large amounts of aRNA from minute sample sizes.
— MMJ