Applied Biosystems announces new tools for studying gene expression

Applied Biosystems, an Applera Corporation business, today announced the worldwide availability of new gene expression analysis tools that are expected to give life science researchers added flexibility and greater efficiency in performing experiments that identify and quantify key genes in biological samples. The TaqMan^® Express Plates are 96-well reaction plates containing dried-down assays selected from more than 50,000 of Applied Biosystems TaqMan^® Gene Expression Assays, in customised sets. These new tools have been developed to make the application of real-time PCR TaqMan assays more accessible to larger numbers of researchers. Using these plates, researchers in academic institutions, pharmaceutical companies and other commercial enterprises will be able to custom design 96-wells with pre-plated TaqMan assays, allowing them to screen samples cost-effectively for the presence and amount of specified gene targets expressed in human, mouse, rat, canine species and rhesus macaque.

Real-time PCR performed with TaqMan Gene Expression Assays is a widely used laboratory method for simultaneously detecting and quantifying nucleic acids present in samples. Frequently referenced in published research, this method has already helped thousands of life science researchers to assess more precisely how changes in the amount of RNA contribute to the development of disease or relate to biological processes in cells. Applications of TaqMan Gene Expression Assays include microarray validation, RNA interference (RNAi), candidate gene studies and biological pathway studies.

Applied Biosystems developed the new TaqMan Express Plates so that researchers can choose gene targets of interest from the company’s broad collection of TaqMan Gene Expression Assays, and then designate the well location for those assays to be dried down on reaction plates. Scientists will be able to perform cost-effective gene expression analyses using the optimum assay layout and plate number to achieve a specific experimental goal.

For example, Dr Jack W Lipton, PhD, Professor of Psychiatry and Director at the University of Cincinnati's Division of Neuropharmacology has been applying real-time PCR gene expression analyses for research projects that include investigating the molecular basis of long-term central nervous system changes produced by drugs of abuse. As part of Applied Biosystems’ early access programme, Dr Lipton has tested the effectiveness of the TaqMan Express Plates for gene expression studies related to his research projects.

“The TaqMan Express plates demonstrate excellent reproducibility, are easy to use, and provide us with the ability to run sets of TaqMan Gene Expression Assays with a minimal amount of time needed to set up our experiments,” said Dr Lipton. “As competitive technologies for the same experiments did not meet our standards for data quality, resulting in half of the data being useless, we are planning on using the TaqMan Express Plates in our lab on a regular basis.”

The assays used for the TaqMan Express Plates offer researchers the accuracy, sensitivity, and reproducibility of gold-standard TaqMan chemistry. This chemistry underlies the assays in Applied Biosystems line of gene expression analysis products, which won the best-in-class distinction at the fourth annual Life Science Industry Awards™ event this month. Extensive tests by Applied Biosystems scientists have found the same high level of performance between TaqMan Gene Expression Assays supplied in the traditional liquid format and assays dried into a TaqMan Express Plate. For studies using cultured cells, TaqMan^® Express Plates are also compatible for use with the TaqMan^® Gene Expression Cells-to-CT™ Kit.

To use the TaqMan Express Plates, researchers first access an intuitive website to select one of three plate formats (32, 48, and 96 genes per plate). They then choose targets from a catalogue of TaqMan Gene Expression Assays and controls. Researchers customise a virtual plate layout by placing assays in specific wells of the plate. Once plates are designed, researchers order them, then Applied Biosystems manufactures the plates with assays in a convenient dried-down format and ships them. Researchers generally receive their customised plates of assays in less than two weeks. They can store plates at room temperature until they use them.

Use of TaqMan Express Plates reduces pipetting errors and promotes standardisation of processes for performing gene expression applications in different laboratory environments. As few as six plates can be ordered at a time. Each pack of Express Plates is shipped with a CD containing the plate configuration map along with the details of each TaqMan assay. When researchers are ready to run their assays, they simply add TaqMan^® Gene Expression Master Mix and cDNA sample to each of the wells on a plate, seal the plate and place it in a real-time PCR instrument with standard 96-well capability.

“The TaqMan Express Plates will bring added application flexibility to our extensive line of real-time PCR solutions and simplify workflows for gene expression studies,” said Peter Dansky, president of Applied Biosystems’ functional analysis division. “By enabling researchers to configure TaqMan assays in a format that best accommodates their individual research projects, we are providing a cost-effective solution for gene expression analysis to all of our customers, while simplifying the way we deliver our TaqMan technology so that it is more accessible to scientists in many fields.”
Applied Biosystems also offers TaqMan^® Custom Plating Service for researchers interested in obtaining plate formats and assay types that are currently not offered through the TaqMan Express Plates product. Using this service, researchers can obtain 96-well, 384-well or Fast 96-well plates designed with Custom TaqMan^® Gene Expression Assays, and Custom TaqMan^® Probes and Primers. The service provides additional flexibility by allowing researchers to choose a variety of reaction volumes and liquid formulation of the assays.