Definiens Immunoprofiling Panel

Bio-Techne announced the launch of its RNAscope VS Duplex kit, which delivers simultaneous in situ detection of two RNA species on an automated platform. The assay enables experiments including co-localization studies and gene expression profiling in specific cell types identifiable with known markers. The assay delivers improved specificity and sensitivity with clean signals, allowing researchers to pinpoint gene expression at single-molecule sensitivity.

In addition, Bio-Techne has launched the RNAScope VS Universal HRP and AP assays, which will integrate with Roche's mRNA universal software. The assays also have protocols that allow dual staining with immunohistochemistry or immunofluorescence.

Bio-Techne has also released the updated RNAscope 2.5 VS Reagent Kit-BROWN and -RED assays, which deliver permanent and intensified staining. The firm claims the assays are suitable for archiving and are ideal when anticipating low copy target gene expression.

Thermo Fisher Scientific has launched the Oncomine Childhood Cancer Research Assay, a next-generation sequencing panel developed in collaboration with Children's Hospital Los Angeles that specifically targets mutations associated with pediatric and young adult cancers. The assay combines specific mutations, gene amplifications, and fusions over 203 genes representing multiple gene classes, and 1,700 fusion transcripts in two DNA and two RNA pools. The assay is designed to integrate with the Ion Chef system for automated library preparation and amplification, as well as the Ion GeneStudio S5 system and Ion Reporter for bioinformatics and reporting.

Fluidigm has launched the Maxpar Human Immune Monitoring Panel Kit for comprehensive immune cell profiling in cancer and immune-mediated diseases. Designed for use with the company's Helios CyTOF mass cytometry system, the new kit contains 29 metal-labeled antibodies and reagents designed and optimized for deep immune profiling of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells in a single tube. The panel biomarkers were selected in collaboration with pharmaceutical companies and academic institutions, and are optimized for routine high-parameter immune profiling, Fluidigm said. Multiple third-party data-analysis options are available to analyze results from the panel, including Cytobank and GemStone software. Verity Software House is providing free access to an enhanced version of GemStone software to customers who purchase the kit.

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, in partnership with DNANexus and Microsoft, has introduced St. Jude Cloud, a public repository of genomics data on pediatric cancer. The St. Jude Cloud platform, which includes free analytics and visualization tools, contains more than 5,000 anonymized whole-genome sequences and 1,200 RNA sequences from young cancer patients. Researchers also are able to upload their own data for analysis and visualization on the cloud-based platform.

Fluidigm has launched the Advanta CFTR NGS Library Prep Assay, a next-generation sequencing library prep workflow for sequencing of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. Developed for use with the company's Juno system, the assay automates target enrichment of CFTR variants from each of the gene's 27 exons and selected intronic regions using microfluidic technology. The assay can produce 48 to 1,500 or more NGS libraries each week from DNA derived from blood, saliva, or buccal swabs. Each integrated microfluidic circuit features open inlets to simplify the addition of new assay over time, the company said.

NanoString Technologies has launched the Breast Cancer 360T (BC 360) research panel, which provides a multimodal analysis of tumor gene expression, microenvironment, and immune response. The 770-gene expression panel is the second in a series of 360 panels, following NanoString's PanCancer Immuno-Oncology 360 panel that was launched last year. It includes content across important breast cancer pathways and validated signatures including NanoString's PAM50 signature for breast cancer subtyping and its Tumor Inflammation Signature, as well as other targets involved in DNA damage repair deficiency, inhibitory immune signaling, and immune cell population abundance.

CareDx has launched HeartCare, a comprehensive rejection surveillance solution for heart transplant recipients. HeartCare includes both AlloMap and AlloSure-Heart results for a holistic view into the health of a heart transplant patient, the company said. The diagnostic gives clinicians indications of patients' immune system activity and graft health.