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University College London Cancer Institute Selects RainDance's ThunderStormT System for High-Throughput Targeted Sequencing

RainDance Technologies, Inc.
16 Nov 2012

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RainDance Technologies, Inc., the Digital Biology™ Company, today announced that the University College London (UCL) Cancer Institute has adopted its ThunderStormT System as a centralized platform for the validation of genomic and epigenomic targets from clinical and non-clinical studies, including follow-ups for genome-wide and epigenome-wide association studies (GWAS and EWAS), as well as stratified cancer medicine and basic research.

Leveraging RainDance's proven single-molecule picodroplet PCR technology, the ThunderStorm System supports a wide range of sequencing applications, including candidate gene screening, deep sequencing of heterogeneous tumor samples and medical genetics testing.

At the UCL Cancer Institute, scientists are focused on understanding how genetic and epigenetic variation contributes to phenotypic differences, particularly in cancer. In addition to mutations and genomic rearrangements, they are investigating DNA methylation, histone modifications, and microRNAs to better understand how they affect genome function when it comes to health and disease. Funds from a Wellcome Trust grant will be used to purchase the ThunderStorm System.

Stephan Beck, principal investigator and Professor of Medical Genomics at the UCL Cancer Institute, said: "Our consortium is very excited about this grant award from the Wellcome Trust. Access to a ThunderStorm platform will greatly enhance our ability to track down disease-causing changes in the genomes and epigenomes we are interrogating."

"Customers like UCL choose the ThunderStorm System because it offers them a production-ready platform for clinical research, generating the highest quality data with a completeness of coverage and uniformity in any chosen region of the genome," added Mark Dronsfield, Head of European Commercial Operations for RainDance Technologies." The ThunderStorm System provides users with a daily sample throughput, automated walk-away operation, and cost-effectiveness that are unmatched on any other commercial solution."

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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.Epigenetic AnalysisEpigenetic analysis products are used to study heritable phenotype changes that do not alter the DNA sequence, such as DNA modifications affecting gene activity. Determine whether genes have been methylated with DNA methylation quantification kits or methylation microarrays. Assess epigenetic regulation with histone modification kits or ChIP-on-chip microarrays. Kits are also available for bisulfite conversion and amplification of your samples, as well as epigenomic library preparation kits for next-generation sequencing (NGS). Find the best epigenetic products in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Histone ModificationDNA MethylationGenetic VariationmiRNA

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University College London Cancer Institute Selects RainDance's ThunderStormT System for High-Throughput Targeted Sequencing