Qiagen Microbial Insights AR
Qiagen has launched Microbial Insights AR (QMI-AR), an integrated genomic database that provides curated, single-point entry access to four of the world's largest knowledgebases on antimicrobial resistance. Specifically, it integrates the Comprehensive Antibiotic Resistance Database (CARD), ResFinder, a National Institutes of Health AMRFinder database of resistance genes, as well as the ARG-ANNOT database of peptide markers. According to Qiagen, the database complements ARESdb, a comprehensive, regularly updated genomic knowledgebase on clinically relevant antibiotic resistance strains that the firm has made available to the global research community through a partnership with Ares-Genetics, a Curetis subsidiary. Qiagen said that it will offer QMI-AR through the CLC Microbial Genomics Module, an extension to the CLC Genomics Workbench bioinformatics software.
Fluidigm Maxpar Imaging Mass Cytometry Kits; CyTOF Software; Labeling Kits
Fluidigm is launching a number of mass cytometry products in the third quarter. Three Imaging Mass Cytometry Maxpar panel kits are designed for immune-oncology research. Developed using pathologist-verified antibodies, the panels can be mixed and matched to profile tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, immune cell activation states, and tissue architecture. By combining them as a single 18-marker panel, researchers can broadly profile activated tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes for single-cell analysis of tumor architecture from a single tissue scan, Fluidigm said.
In addition, Fluidigm will introduce new CyTOF software, designed to be used with the Hyperion Imaging System for cellular biomarker identification. According to the firm, the software streamlines the selection and acquisition of multiple regions of interest (ROI) from each slide. Researchers can remotely annotate those ROIs using brightfield reference images to guide automated batch acquisition of highly multiplexed images at 1-micron resolution. During image acquisition, researchers can visualize multiplexed images in real time across all detection channels to ensure data quality, Fluidigm said.
Finally, the company will introduce seven new cadmium metal labeling kits for mass cytometry. The isotopes are the first of a new series in development and will allow researchers to design and customize larger panels to advance biomarker discovery and therapeutic development, Fluidigm said.
BGI 676 Quality Genome Standard
BGI has introduced the 676 Quality Genome, a new standard and cost-effective solution for high quality de novo genome assembly using MGI's DNBSEQ and stLFR technologies. BGI defined the standard as having a contig N50 greater than 106 bases (>1Mb), scaffold N50 greater than 107 bases (>10 Mb), and, for the human genome, total assembled size larger than 6 Gb. The firm expects the standard's cost to be $1,000, on the upcoming MGISEQ-T7 sequencing platform.
According to BGI, the 676 Quality Genome can detect all types of structural variants and is ideal for assembling regions of the genome not well represented by the reference genome. The firm said that the 676 Quality Genome provides more accurate and comprehensive genetic predictions, since it assembles each person's genome individually and does not depend on a reference genome.
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