If you've been following our blog or our newsletter, you're probably aware that DNA Genotek has experienced significant growth in our partner program. We've added partners across all categories: genomics service providers, diagnostic service providers and technology vendors.
One of the newest partners to complete this validation process is Precision Biomarker Resources. Precision Biomarker provides automated, high-throughput microarray services to expedite the biologic investigations of pharmaceutical, biotechnology and academic researchers. Their services include: nucleic acid isolation, SNP genotyping, expression profiling, qPCR protocol design and processing, and custom bioinformatic analysis. Precision Biomarker Resources serves as a Genomics Service Provider for investigators working with DNA Genotek’s Oragene•DNA sample collection system.
Precison Biomarker is also the first partner to provide a special offer to Oragene•DNA customers to help them celebrate their successful completion of the partner program requirements. I'm pleased to share this news with you and pass along information about this limited time promotion.
From now until September 30th, 2010, Precision Biomarker Resources will include free DNA isolation from your Oragene•DNA samples as part of any whole genome genotyping project performed by Precision Biomarker Resources and using the Affymetrix SNP Array 5.0 or SNP Array 6.0 microarrays. A minimum of 30 samples must be submitted to qualify. Samples and a purchase order for the accompanying genotyping service must be received by Precision Biomarker Resources before September 30th, 2010.
To schedule your experiment now, please call Precision Biomarker toll free 888-857-0752 or e-mail sales@precisionbiomarker.com. Be sure to include your name, institution and contact information (phone number and e-mail) so that they can contact you if we need any additional information.
What do you think of DNA partners offering special incentives for Oragene•DNA customers? Would you like to see more offers like this? If so, leave a comment and let us know.
Photo credit: Alexandra Simms
Beckman Coulter Genomics has developed a new version of their DNAdvance System specifically for use with DNA Genotek’s Oragene•DNA samples.
DNAdvance SP, from Beckman Coulter Genomics, is an extraction kit for the isolation and purification of DNA from saliva samples collected with Oragene•DNA Self Collection Kits. The high throughput genomic DNA (gDNA) isolation reagent system enables the purification of high quality DNA from saliva samples, making it ideal for genotyping applications (SNP, fragment analysis), sequencing and qPCR. The system provides researchers and laboratories with an optimized and robust solution for DNA extraction and purification from saliva collected with Oragene•DNA kits.
Bassam El-Fahmawi, product manager, strategic marketing with Beckman Coulter Genomics stated: “We chose to develop DNAdvance SP for Oragene•DNA samples because more and more of our customers are using this proven, non-invasive collection method. Customers will see the benefits of our collaboration in the consistent, high quality results delivered by the system.”
Cindy Maccullough, vice president marketing at DNA Genotek commented: “The development of the DNAdvance SP System is a clear sign of the growing interest in non-invasive DNA sample collection in the scientific community. There is an increasing demand for automated extractions from our customer base, and the DNAdvance SP System provides a streamlined extraction process that delivers predictable, quality yields for Oragene•DNA.”
The DNAdvance SP product is available from Beckman Coulter Genomics. For more information, you can contact Beckman Coulter here.
This morning, Clinical Reference Laboratory (CRL) announced that it has completed validation testing of DNA Genotek's Oragene•DNA saliva collection kits and will adopt Oragene•DNA for use with its molecular diagnostic services.
CRL is a CLIA-certified molecular diagnostics services provider based in Lenexa, Kansas offering a wide assortment of molecular diagnostic services including gene expression profiling, microarrays, CNV/SNP typing, pathogen detection, infectious disease testing, pharmacogenetic testing, sample banking, assays for personalized medicine and custom diagnostics. CRL also operates a global clinical trials division.
"Working with DNA Genotek and utilizing its products enhances CRL's menu of high quality molecular services through saliva-based DNA tests", said CRL Executive Director of Molecular Diagnostics, Dr. Heather Newkirk. "Offering services integrating the Oragene•DNA product allows us to provide our clients with a state of the art solution for extraction and genotyping DNA from saliva. We are impressed with the quality and quantity of DNA we obtain using Oragene•DNA."
"CRL joins a growing list of genomic service providers and technology vendors that have validated Oragene•DNA with their products and/or service offerings," said Ian Curry, president and CEO, DNA Genotek, Inc. "Adding CRL to our program gives our customers increased access to an approved service provider that can reliably process samples collected with our products. Our customers can benefit from CRL's offerings for saliva-based DNA extraction, analysis and testing."
Everyone at DNA Genotek welcomes CRL to the DNA Genotek Partner Program.
At the 2010 Plant and Animal Genome Conference in San Diego, DNA Genotek officially launched our newest sample collection product called Performagene•LIVESTOCK. Performagene•LIVESTOCK, a simple and easy-to-use nasal collection device for cattle, sheep and swine, provides high quality and high quantity DNA that remains stable at ambient temperatures.
Most genetic products currently used in the livestock industry are designed for parentage testing but the opportunity for significant gains in productivity is accelerating research into breed improvements. DNA samples collected with Performagene•LIVESTOCK can be used to identify markers for applications such as parentage as well as genotyping livestock for economically important traits including disease resistance, milk production, marbling and feed efficiency. This research allows producers to make more informed breeding and management decisions.
Why Livestock Genetics?
The livestock industry is facing more challenges than ever before. This makes it critical for producers to focus on successful strategies for their business. The biggest benefit from livestock genetics will be the ability to leverage genetic information to select and breed animals of superior quality.
All genetic analysis starts with the collection of a DNA sample. While genetic breeding in livestock is advancing at a tremendous pace, advancements in sample collection methods were not. This is where Performagene•LIVESTOCK comes in. Just like we did with human DNA collection, we developed a product that makes DNA collection easy, effective and reliable. This simple and easy-to-use kit follows in the footsteps of Oragene•DNA and Oragene•ANIMAL and will change how people think about DNA collection in the livestock industry.
To see how easy the product is to use, take a look at this video.
How is Performagene•LIVESTOCK Different?
Previous DNA sample sources in the livestock industry such as semen, blood, hair follicles or ear tissue have been inconvenient for the producer to collect or difficult, unreliable and costly to process in the lab. The major difference with Performagene•LIVESTOCK is that it is an integrated collection device that not only makes the sample collection quicker and easier for the producer, but actually starts the sample preparation while it's being transported to the DNA testing lab. This provides the lab with a ready-to-process sample that is very easy to integrate into their automated systems. The product is designed to merge the sampling needs of the producer with the processing requirements at the lab in one economical product. This reduces the cost of the entire DNA testing process and enables high-throughput DNA testing of livestock. Performagene•LIVESTOCK provides a reliable, high quality, high quantity DNA sample that performs exceptionally well on commonly used assays for parentage and genotyping such as microsatellites, SNP genotyping and microarrays.
Reviews from Livestock Producers
A December 2009 survey of producers validated that while blood or hair follicles are currently being used for DNA sampling, producers are open to new methods that are easier, more reliable or more cost-effective. DNA Genotek's Performagene•LIVESTOCK is hitting the mark. After using the product, 94% of those surveyed indicated that ease-of-use was the number one benefit associated with DNA Genotek's Performagene•LIVESTOCK product. 82% found the collection process quicker compared to their current method. A resounding 94% of those surveyed stated they would switch to Performagene•LIVESTOCK for their DNA collection. We always work closely with those that we develop products for to ensure that we are satisfying real needs. This feedback is validation that we translated the challenges we heard from producers into the creation of a product that meets their requirements.
We Owe Special Thanks
Launching a new product into a new market is challenging. We feel we're off to a great start with Performagene•LIVESTOCK but we couldn't have done it without the help we received from so many people. In particular, we would like to thank the following people for their incredible contributions: Donnie, Rhonda and Bruce MacLeod from Orchard Gore Farms; Bruce Mann, Dale Kelly and team from Saskatchewan Research Council; as well as Douglas Hedley.
We will provide you with further information on this product and updates from the Plant and Animal Genome Conference later this week in The Genetic Link. In the meantime, let us know what you think about this new product by leaving a comment.