BC Platforms BC|RQUEST

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, and National Institutes of Health AMRFinder database of resistance genes, as well as the ARG-ANNOT database of peptide markers. This complements ARESdb, a comprehensive, regularly updated genomic knowledgebase on clinically relevant antibiotic resistance strains that Qiagen has made available to the global research community through a partnership with Ares-Genetics (a Curetis subsidiary). QMI-AR will initially be available through Qiagen's CLC Microbial Genomics Module, an extension to the CLC Genomics Workbench bioinformatics software.

Twist Bioscience has launched the Mouse Core Exome Panel for target enrichment in next-generation sequencing. The comprehensive panel for research use is built from the most current databases.

BGI Genomics has launched a clinical research whole exome sequencing service called BGI-Xome, which incorporates clinical interpretation services from UK-based Congenica. BGI will perform WES at its service laboratories, while interpretation will be completed by clinical scientists using the Congenica clinical decision support platform. According to BGI, Congenica's Interpretation platform will allow its service to provide a "gold-standard" and effective solution that eliminates the risk of users missing or misidentifying disease-linked mutations. 

Patients Choice Laboratories has launched the UTI+ molecular test for urinary tract infections. The Indianapolis-based company said the new test is part of its goal to be a full-service lab. It added that its gene- and molecular-based technologies provides uropathogenic and antibiotic resistance testing results within six hours after specimen receipt compared to up to three days with urinalysis by culturing. 

Thermo Fisher Scientific launched a number of mass spectrometry instruments and software this week.

The Thermo Scientific Orbitrap Exploris 480 mass spectrometer enables more rigorous high-throughput protein identification, quantitation, and structural characterization. It has a smaller footprint than previous instrument versions and maintains high resolution, mass accuracy, and spectral quality.

The Thermo Scientific Orbitrap Eclipse Tribrid mass spectrometer has improved sensitivity over previous generations and is better able to characterize and quantify complex biomolecules and biological systems.

Both new instruments can be combined with the Thermo Scientific FAIMS Pro interface, a differential ion mobility device that improves selectivity and increases productivity across a range of proteomics workflows.

The new Thermo Scientific TraceFinder Software 5.0 offers quicker and easier access to information from Thermo Scientific TSQ Quadrupole and Q Exactive Hybrid Quadrupole-Orbitrap mass spectrometry platforms. In addition, the Thermo Scientific Almanac web-based application enables users to remotely access instruments to monitor their run status and data acquisition.

Sciex has launched the TripleTOF 6600+ LC-MS/MS System with ScanningSwath Acquisition alongside high-performance data processing with OneOmics in Sciex Cloud. The latest entry in Sciex's TripleTOF portfolio, the new platform incorporates simplified low-flow source technology to deliver accessible, sensitive and robust quantification; while multiple software-enabled improvements increase robustness and maximize system uptime, Sciex said.

Other features include OptiFlow Turbo V Source for all low-flow applications, with flow rates of 100 nL/min to 200 L/min; up to 100 Hz MS/MS scan speeds; and Analyst TF Software 1.8, which features scheduled ionization and target TIC function to give users temporal control over the number of ions entering the systems.

Sciex also introduced ScanningSwath Acquisition to be hosted on the system. This feature immortalizes samples by creating a digital data record of all detectable analytes, capturing more detail about potential markers than its predecessor, Sciex said.

Synthego has launched its Gene Knockout Kit v2. The kit is based on a multi-guide strategy that employs up to three modified single guide RNAs targeting the same gene. These sgRNAs are spatially coordinated to reliably induce a fragment deletion of 21 or more base pairs. This intentional edit occurs at high frequency, increasing the probability of gene knockout, the company said. Each kit includes one tube of chemically modified multi-guide sgRNA, designed to target any human protein-coding gene, and the purchase of a kit includes free access to Synthego's ICE CRISPR Analysis Tool.