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New cfDNA Purification Technologies Used for Fetal Sex Determination, Screening of Genetic Disorders and Cancer

AMSBIO
29 Mar 2017
Mia Harley
Biochemist

Industry news

AMSBIO has announced the launch of its new cfPure™ Cell Free DNA Purification Kit for scalable and automation-friendly isolation of circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from patient serum or plasma samples.

Circulating cfDNA is normally comprised of DNA fragments from healthy cells. However, apoptotic cells, necrotic cells, cancer cells, and intact cells all release cfDNA into the bloodstream. In addition, fetal cfDNA can be isolated from peripheral maternal blood. The utility and value of using cfDNA from serum and plasma for non-invasive molecular diagnostics is illustrated by the use of fetal cfDNA- obtained from a simple maternal blood draw - for fetal sex determination and prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal aneuploidy and many other genetic disorders.

Recently, DNA shed from tumor cells has been identified as a non-invasive method of screening biomarkers for the early diagnosis and prognosis of cancer. This method, sometimes called "liquid biopsy", can provide guidance for treatment decisions, and can enable monitoring of cancer therapy, and organism-wide screening for the presence of nascent metastatic tumors in drug-treated cancer patients. Circulating cfDNA is easily collected by standard, minimally invasive, blood draws. Compared with sampling of DNA from FFPE tumor specimens, cfDNA can provide superior real-time data on primary and metastatic tumors, and offers the potential to analyse biomarkers for mutational information.

Since cfDNA is found at very low concentrations and in a fragmented state, very efficient DNA capture is necessary to provide sensitive and reliable results.

The AMSBIO cfPure™ DNA Extraction Kit provides an automation-friendly method to obtain maximal cfDNA recovery from various specimen types, including fresh or frozen serum or plasma, as well as plasma from blood collected in Streck Cell-Free DNA collection tubes. The cfPure™ system uses silica-coated paramagnetic particles to purify cfDNA from less than 1 mL to greater than 10 mL of serum or plasma. The kit's optimized buffers ensure very efficient recovery of cfDNA fragments in the size range 100 - 500 bp. Recovered DNA is suitable for a wide range of downstream applications, including bisulfite sequencing, NGS, and qPCR.

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Cell / Tissue CultureCell culture or tissue culture is used to study the biology of cells or tissues and to isolate cellular products in an environment which can be manipulated and well defined. Accurately control your culture environment with bioreactors or culture incubators, bind your cells to a surface or together with an extracellular matrix. Distinguish cell types with differential media or proliferate cells with certain characteristics using selective media. Enrich your media with supplements such as growth factors, sera and vitamins. Find the best cell and tissue culture products, kits and equipment in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.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.BiomarkersBiomarkers are biological markers which can be measured and evaluated to indicate a biological state. The use of biomarkers in research and diagnosis can indicate a normal or disease state or drug response of cells / tissues. Biomarkers include genetic markers, cell surface markers such as antigens, antibodies or receptors and secreted molecules such as cytokines. An assay system is required for identification of biomarkers. :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.DNA / RNA Extraction and PurificationPurified DNA and RNA are required for numerous downstream molecular biology applications. Consequently, the importance of high-quality DNA/RNA extraction and purification equipment cannot be underestimated. Many purification kits are available and are typically optimized for nucleic acid type and source, including plasmid DNA, genomic DNA, mRNA, RNA and viral nucleic acid purification kits. Automated extraction and purification of nucleic acids can be implemented with magnetic bead separator instruments or high-throughput purification workstations. Find the best DNA/RNA extraction 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.Molecular DiagnosticsMolecular diagnostics use an individual’s genetic code and gene expression to diagnose and monitor diseases. The technique is used increasingly in the field of infectious diseases and oncology, as well as areas such as coagulation, HLA typing and pharmacogenomics. Molecular diagnostics plays a pivotal role in personalized medicine.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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