SelectScience
Join Free
Accelerating Science
NewsLife Sciences

Fluxion Biosciences Expands IsoFlux Discovery Services Capabilities with Clinical Sample Procurement

Fluxion Biosciences
10 Feb 2014
Sonia Nicholas
Managing Editor and Clinical Lead

Product news

New capability provides a full-service option for circulating tumor cell studies

Fluxion Biosciences, Inc. has announced a new capability to include full-service clinical sample procurement that will expand Fluxion’s IsoFlux Discovery Services offering. Fluxion currently offers a broad range of analytical services using its IsoFlux System for circulating tumor cell (CTC) enrichment, including qPCR and next-generation sequencing (NGS) based assays. With this new capability, Fluxion can now provide clinical sample procurement that includes fresh blood draws from a wide range of cancer indications and tumor subtype profiles, such as Her2+, KRAS+, and EGFR+ samples.

Fluxion’s Discovery Services are available to biopharmaceutical, diagnostic, and research institutes that wish to conduct CTC studies on a contract basis. These services are provided out of Fluxion’s South San Francisco reference laboratory and utilize the cutting-edge IsoFlux technology as well as the circulating tumor cell experience of Fluxion’s scientific personnel. With this new offering, clients can now specify the number and types of clinical samples they wish to analyze and have them included in the study without having to set up any clinical agreements. The clinical samples are shipped overnight to Fluxion’s laboratory and processed the day of arrival. Each sample is highly annotated with clinical information and obtained under IRB consent.

“After running our Discovery Services for some time now, we realized that obtaining prospective clinical samples for CTC studies is a major bottleneck for our clients. Setting up clinical agreements, obtaining IRB approval, and waiting for patient recruitment can slow things down considerably,” said Mike Schwartz, Program Director at Fluxion. “This new addition to our service offering will dramatically increase the speed of discovery for our clients, not to mention make it easier to source an entire study from a single vendor.”

For more information, please click on the ‘request information’ tab below or follow the company website link.

Links

Fluxion BiosciencesCompany website

Tags

Genome AnalysisGenomics, the study of genomes, includes functional genomics, evolutionary genomics and comparative genomics. There are many genomic technologies such as DNA sequencing of whole genomes, computational biology and bioinformatics. DNA and nucleic acids must be isolated and concentrated from cells for analysis with kits, automated analyzers and software. Other useful technologies for studying genomics include PCR, microarrays and electrophoresis.PCR and Thermal CyclingPolymerase chain reaction (PCR) kits and thermal cyclers are used for the in vitro amplification of DNA permitting subsequent analysis and experimental procedures. Explore a range of high-quality polymerase, primers and nucleotides or simplify your workflow with a PCR mastermix. Find reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) and cDNA synthesis kits for RNA products and libraries. Quantitatively measure the amplification of DNA with real-time PCR (qPCR) and droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) kits and systems, and discover automated PCR setup solutions to increase throughput. Alternative DNA amplification methods also include recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) kits. Find the best PCR kits and thermal cyclers and purification equipment in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.ImmunologyImmunological techniques measure and characterize immune responses. Immunology kits and analysis systems often use techniques such as ELISA, radioimmunoassay (RIA) and immunodiffusion assays, Immunohistochemistry, and flow cytometry. Immunologists use equipment such as flow Cytometers, plate readers, plate washers and fluorescent microscopes.Cell-Based AssaysCell-based assays are used to monitor the presence, quantity and activities of a desired cellular analyte including drug molecules or biomarkers. This can reveal information on cell health (apoptosis, cytotoxicity, viability and proliferation assays), cell metabolism, cell migration and cell signaling mechanisms. Find the best cell-based assay products, kits and equipment with our peer reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receiving pricing direct from manufacturers.Clinical GeneticsMolecular Genetics covers the analysis of hereditary genetic disease and chromosomal abnormalities. Genetics can be analysed using DNA, RNA, and protein microarrays, PCR, RT PCR and DNA sequencing. Genetic equipment includes genetic workstations, thermal cyclers, cooling blocks and electrophoresis products. Diagnostic kits are used for DNA / RNA extraction and purification.Next Generation SequencingNext-generation sequencing (NGS), also known as whole-genome sequencing, high-throughput sequencing and massive parallel sequencing, produces and analyses thousands to millions of nucleotide sequences at once. Sequencing systems operate via varying technologies depending on the manufacturer, including sequencing by synthesis, ligation, pyrosequencing, ion semiconductor and single-molecule real-time sequencing. For NGS, library preparation is paramount to successful sequencing. In this section, explore a range of library preparation kits, from targeted, amplicon-based or hybridization-based kits including epigenomic, transcriptomic and genomic workflows to fragmentation kits. Find the best next-generation sequencing products in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Cancer DiagnosticsThere are a wide variety of diagnostic tests for cancer available, and this range continues to expand as our knowledge of cancer improves. Current diagnostic methods include biopsy, imaging and blood tests for known biomarkers. New methods in research development include liquid biopsies and cancer breathalyzers.Clinical NGSNext Generation Sequencing (NGS) refers to the use of massive parallel sequencing of multiple small fragments of DNA. This high-throughput genomic analysis yields enormous amounts of sequence data, which if appropriately analyzed could have huge potential for clinical laboratories. For this to happen there are technique and bioinformatic hurdles to be overcome.

Related articles

Fluxion Biosciences Expands IsoFlux Discovery Services Capabilities with Clinical Sample Procurement