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Horizon Discovery extends coverage of OncoSpan reference standards to FFPE and liquid biopsy

OncoSpan range expanded to include FFPE and cfDNA formats to mimic solid tumors and liquid biopsy samples, respectively

30 Apr 2020
Georgina Wynne Hughes
Editorial Assistant

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Horizon Discovery Group plc (LSE: HZD) (“Horizon”, “the Company” or “the Group”), a global leader in the application of gene editing and gene modulation for cell line engineering, has announced it has added two new sample formats to its cell-based OncoSpan reference standards for use in the development and validation of workflows for cancer diagnostic assays.

Horizon’s OncoSpan range now includes formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) and cell-free DNA (cfDNA) formats for mimicking solid tumors and liquid biopsy samples, respectively, in addition to its well-established genomic DNA (gDNA) format. Its cfDNA format offers one of the largest number of variants and genes, over 380 and 152 respectively, of any characterized reference standard to help standardize liquid biopsy testing.

These cell-line derived reference standards closely mimic patient samples and offer an unlimited and reproducible resource to help ensure consistency during the establishment and validation of diagnostic assays. All three formats are delivered with batch-specific, next-generation sequencing (NGS) data, orthogonally validated by ddPCR, to allow researchers to further validate their analysis pipeline.

Paul Brooks, Head of Business Operations, Horizon Discovery said: “Horizon offers a range of premium reference standards for various molecular platforms including NGS and digital PCR. By extending our OncoSpan portfolio to include these additional sample formats, we are now able to provide more researchers working at the forefront of molecular diagnostics, with the reagents needed to suit their specific workflows. These cell-line derived standards offer significant benefits over less-commutable synthetic standards, meaning researchers can rely on our reference standards to deliver consistent results and have confidence in the performance of their diagnostic assays.”

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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.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.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.DNADeoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) is the main component of chromosomes and the carrier of genetic information of living organisms. Find out here about PCR, NGS, ChIP-Seq, gel imaging, and many other techniques which can be used for the analysis of DNA.Assay DevelopmentThe process of proving an assay to be sensitive with respect to the target is known as assay development. The assay should be able to characterize novel compounds and measure the potency of these compounds against a validated biological target.gDNATumorsTumor research focuses on understanding abnormal cell growth that leads to cancer. Identifying biomarkers, studying tumor microenvironments, and developing targeted therapies are critical for advancing cancer treatment. Early detection and personalized treatment options are key to improving outcomes for patients. Browse our peer-reviewed product directory to explore tools for tumor research, diagnostics, and cancer therapies; compare products, read customer reviews, and get pricing directly from manufacturers.Liquid BiopsiesLiquid biopsies are non-invasive tests used to detect cancer and other diseases by analyzing blood or other bodily fluids. This technique is gaining popularity for early detection, monitoring treatment response, and detecting minimal residual disease. Explore liquid biopsy solutions in our peer-reviewed product directory; compare products, check reviews, and get pricing directly from manufacturers.

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Horizon Discovery extends coverage of OncoSpan reference standards to FFPE and liquid biopsy