SelectScience
Join Free
Accelerating Science
NewsLife Sciences

RainDance Technologies Launches New Program to Aid Providers of Genetic Testing Services

RainDance Technologies, Inc.
22 Apr 2013
Sarah Thomas
Associate Editor

Product news

RainDance Technologies, Inc., the Digital Biology™ company, today announced a new Service Partner Program for its growing base of research customers who are developing next-generation sequencing-based genetic testing panels to identify and characterize inherited diseases, cancers and other human health conditions in research projects. Through this new program, customers have expanded access to RainDance’s ThunderStorm™ target enrichment solution, custom gene panel manufacturing capabilities and technical support services.

RainDance-manufactured gene panels provide researchers with a way to use single-plex PCR in picodroplets to target specific human genes or regions of interest. The ability to put single PCR reactions in droplets enables highly multiplexed panels with the sensitivity of single tests in a workflow that eliminates the need for the costly and time-consuming, repetitive testing of single biomarkers.

Among the first service provider partners to participate in the new program are Ambry Genetics, Emory Genetics Laboratory and Greenwood Genetic Center. Collectively, these leading research laboratories have developed more than 20 gene panels manufactured by RainDance for use in research to investigate colon cancer, cardiomyopathy, ciliopathies, congenital muscular dystrophy, epilepsy, hearing loss and autism spectrum disorders, among many others.

“RainDance’s ThunderStorm-based target enrichment solution has allowed us to rapidly expand the number of genetic panels we can offer for research projects using next-generation sequencing. Our CancerNext panel, for example, analyzes 22 genes that have been identified as contributors to increased risk for breast, colon, ovarian, uterine and other cancers,” said Ardy Arianpour, Vice President of Business Development at Ambry Genetics.

"The RainDance technology enables us to apply next-generation sequencing more routinely to panels focused on the specific genes that contribute to autism and other X-linked disorders," said Madhuri Hegde, Ph.D., FACMG, Executive Director of Emory Genetics Laboratory.

"Partnering with RainDance has been of tremendous benefit to the Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory at the Greenwood Genetic Center," said Michael J. Friez, Ph.D., Director, Diagnostic Laboratories.

The ThunderStorm System is a fully automated, targeted sequencing solution for research use only that enables the comprehensive interrogation and accurate classification of all variations contained in any region of the genome. With walk-away capabilities for automatically processing up to 96 samples per run, the ThunderStorm System offers the industry’s highest on-target reads with lower costs and hands-on time when compared to current enrichment methods. Each panel is performed on HeatWave™ ThunderStorm Chips developed by RainDance in collaboration with Sony DADC.

“RainDance has invested years to perfect and bring to market single-molecule picodroplet PCR in its fully automated ThunderStorm system, and we are very proud of our collaborations with these world-class research laboratories that are designing novel and important disease-focused applications,” said Andy Watson, Chief Commercial Officer at RainDance. “The RainDance Service Partner Program will allow us to deepen our ongoing collaborations with this growing community of customers and raise awareness of how RainDance’s technology allows them to apply next-generation sequencing to a variety of devastating diseases.”

The ThunderStorm System is for Research Use Only and has not been approved for diagnostic procedures. All disease panels are designed by the service partners and manufactured by RainDance.

Links

RainDance Technologies, Inc.Company 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.DNA SequencingDNA sequencing, such as sanger sequencing, is a biological technique that determines the precise order of nucleotide bases in a fragment or template of DNA. DNA sequencers and genetic analyzers are based on capillary electrophoresis, where labeled DNA fragments are electrophoretically separated by size as they migrate through a polymer. Find the best DNA sequencing products, including DNA sequencing kits, genomic libraries and genetic identity kits in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive 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.Ovarian CancerColorectal CancerCancer ResearchAlthough cancer is often referred to as a single condition, it actually consists of more than 100 different diseases. Microscopy, mass spectrometry, high throughput sequencing and flow cytometry are some of the most common techniques employed in cancer research labs.Breast CancerBreast cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the cells of the breast and can spread to other parts of the body. Early detection, accurate diagnosis, and targeted treatments are essential for improving patient outcomes. Browse our peer-reviewed product directory to find the best breast cancer research and diagnostic tools, compare products, check reviews, and get pricing directly from manufacturers.

Related articles

RainDance Technologies Launches New Program to Aid Providers of Genetic Testing Services