Sigma-Genosys and Compugen have launched OligoLibraries, their new genome-wide oligonucleotide collections for gene expression profiling. These libraries for human, rat, and mouse were designed using CompugenÂ’s LEADS bioinformatics platform, which factors in alternative splice variants, homology between different gene sequences, and redundancy in the design of oligonucleotide probes. Sigma-Genosys manufactures the libraries using its patented Abacus oligo synthesis platform and technologies, and both parties are co-marketing the products under a revenue sharing agreement.
The human library of 19,000 oligos sells for $84,000; and the rat library sells for $28,000. The microtiter plates used to load the libraries are also arranged by gene ontology.
Customers will be able to access the full sequence of the oligos in the libraries through CompugenÂ’s LabOnWeb (www.labonweb.com) life science Internet research engine.
NoAb BioDiscoveries, of Mississauga, Canada, has introduced its surface activated covalent binding slide microarrays. The slides have three different slide surfaces, aldehyde, NHS ester, and epoxide, and can be used for cDNA, oligonucleotide, protein, or small molecule microarrays, the company said. The company also makes hydrogel versions of each surface to increase binding capacity without decreasing the low background fluorescence. More information about the products is available on the companyÂ’s website, www.noabbiodiscoveries.com.
Asterand, of Detroit, Mich., launched its new tissue microarray service recently. The arrays will initially consist of tumor samples for prostate, colon, and breast cancer, but the company, which is based in the Karmanos Cancer Institute of Wayne State University, plans to develop custom arrays for its research customers. “Each tissue sample is backed by well characterized patient information so a single tissue microarray of, say 400 samples on one slide will be accompanied by a vast amount of data,” said Neil Mucci, Asterand’s director of laboratory operations.
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