ZeptoMetrix NATSARS(CoV-2) Quality Controls

Promega has launched its LMR MSI Analysis system, a PCR-based research tool with novel markers for detecting microsatellite instability. The panel consists of eight total markers: four gold-standard markers (BAT-25, BAT-26, MONO-27, and NR-21) and four novel long mononucleotide repeat markers (BAT-52, BAT-56, BAT-59, and BAT-60). According to the company combining these marker sets expands MSI detection ability in difficult samples while maintaining overlap with data gathered using traditional markers. Promega said that the assay has been optimized to enable strong and balanced amplification even from degraded samples such as formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue.

Guardant Health has launched Guardant Reveal, a blood-based liquid biopsy test for the detection of residual and recurrent disease in cancer patients. Intended initially for the early-stage colorectal cancer space, the assay detects circulating tumor DNA in patients' blood to identify those with residual disease who may benefit most from adjuvant therapy and/or detect the first signs of a recurrence. Results are returned in as little as seven days without the need for a tissue biopsy.

Menarini Silicon Biosystems has launched its CellMag product line. The line includes the CTC Epithelial Cell kit for ferrofluid-based EpCAM-positive circulating tumor cell enrichment, a magnetic tool, and consumables. The firm believes the product line will help researchers conduct specific, established, and standardized immunomagnetic enrichment and staining of CTCs in peripheral blood. After positive selection of enriched cells, performed by capturing cells through ferrofluids labeled with antibodies targeting specific antigens, the staining procedure delivers cells that are ready for enumeration, isolation, and downstream analysis. Menarini said the CellMag line provides researchers with a manual system using the same ferrofluid technology offered by its CellSearch system.

Forensic genomics firm Verogen has launched the ForenSeq Kintelligence Kit for genetic genealogy. The next-generation sequencing-based workflow runs on the Illumina MiSeq FGx system and targets 10,230 SNPs curated for forensics while minimizing medically informative markers. It is also integrated with GEDmatch PRO genealogy database.

SeqWell has launched its PlexWell Single-Cell Rapid Kit for the preparation of next-generations sequencing libraries for single-cell RNA sequencing. The kit improves upon the Smart-seq2 method by combining cDNA synthesis and amplification, and reducing the QC and normalization burden by 75 percent to achieve a single-day library prep workflow. This simplified approach can produce sequencing-ready, full-length transcriptome libraries from hundreds to thousands of sorted cells at a time, the company said. Other features include iterative barcoding and auto-normalization to create balanced library pools without the need for further sample or library normalization. The method has been optimized for low cDNA inputs to maintain library complexity, improve detection of low-abundance targets, and preserve variant and isoform information, the company said.

Zymo Research has launched its COVID-19 Variant Sequencing Service. The workflow consists of sample collection from testing centers, automated RNA extraction using KingFisher Flex robotics, sequencing with Illumina's COVIDSeq NGS workflow including analysis with the Dragen COVIDSeq analysis pipeline, and reporting. The final report includes COVID-19 strain identification, genome sequencing coverage, confirmed mutations, consensus genome, and raw sequence files. Zymo uses its DNA/RNA Shield preservative to inactivate the SARS-CoV-2 virus and stabilize its RNA.