Qiagen subsidiary SABiosciences has launched several new RT2 Profiler PCR Arrays.
The new arrays cover gene expression profiling in nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicology, embryonic stem cell markers, and analysis of epigenetic modulators and enzymes.
The company said that the RT2 Profiler arrays provide gene expression data within three hours and are composed of PCR Array plates, the RT2 first strand kit, RT2 SYBR Green Master Mix, and free PCR Array data analysis software.
Qiagen acquired SABiosciences last December (PCR Insider 12/17/10).
Thermo Fisher Scientific said this week that it has begun distributing the Finnzymes line of PCR and qPCR products through its Fisher Scientific channel in the US.
Thermo acquired Finnzymes in March (PCR Insider 3/10/10).
Finnzymes product families now available through Fisher Scientific US include the Phusion High-Fidelity and Hot Start II polymerase reagents; Phire Hot-Start and Hot-Start II PCR reagents; Direct PCR kits for plant, blood, tissue, and FFPE sections; DyNAzyme DNA polymerases; and DyNAmo qPCR reagents.
Thermo said that these products will also become available through Fisher Scientific in Canada and the UK "within the next few weeks" and through additional distribution and direct channels in other parts of the world "over time."
Epigentek has released the MethylFlash Hydroxymethylated DNA Quantification Kit for rapidly quantifying hydroxymethylated DNA.
The company said that the kit is based on a new approach it has developed for identifying the so-called "sixth DNA base," 5-hydroxymethylcytosine, a modified form of 5-cytosine that was recently discovered in animal tissues.
While the function of 5-hmC "currently remains a mystery," the company said that it appears to play an important role in switching genes on and off. "The presence of 5-hmC makes it necessary to not only re-evaluate existing DNA methylation data, but also necessary to determine relative distribution and changes of 5-hmC in human tissues of healthy and diseased statuses," the company said.
Epigentek said the method can be used to identify hydroxymethylated DNA or 5-hmC in any species, including mammals, plants, fungi, bacteria, and viruses, in a variety of forms, including cultured cells, fresh and frozen tissues, paraffin-embedded tissues, plasma/serum samples, and body fluid samples.