IDT Introduces PrimeTime™ qPCR Assays

Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT) has today launched the first assay products covered by its license under the Applied Biosystems’ (ABI) Probe Manufacturing License Program. The PrimeTime™ qPCR assays contain dual-labeled probes and primers mixed for use in the 5’ nuclease process--the industry-leading technique for real-time PCR.

IDT’s PrimeTime qPCR assays are custom-designed with a validated real-time PCR design algorithm available at the article webpage. This real-time PCR design tool allows the researcher to customize the thermodynamic parameters to match their specific assay requirements and incorporates genome and transcript information in the primer and probe design. The amplicons are designed to reduce detection of genomic DNA. Researchers can evaluate the resulting primer-probe sets, including the sequence of both primers and probe, prior to ordering. The PrimeTime qPCR mix contains enough to conduct up to 8000 assays at standard conditions. Both primers and probes are analyzed by mass spectroscopy to verify their molecular weight, and the dual-labeled probes are purified using HPLC. The reagents are then mixed and shipped out in three to five days.

“IDT is pleased to offer custom-designed 5’ nuclease assays for researchers using real-time PCR,” said John Havens, IDT’s Vice President of Business Development. “We believe that the combination of IDT’s validated design algorithm, probe quantity, HPLC purification, sequence information, and fast turnaround will make our PrimeTime qPCR assays an attractive product for customers interested in sensitive and quantitative detection of their target genes.”

For customers who require a broader range of labels or who just need probes, IDT PrimeTime Probes offer a complete range of reporters and quenchers with the same design and manufacturing characteristics as the PrimeTime qPCR Assays.

IDT is the first licensee in Applied Biosystems’ new Probe Manufacturing License Program, which includes rights under several probe composition and methods patents, as well as U.S. Patent No. 5,804,375 (the ‘375 patent) to make and sell custom dual-labeled probes and primers mixed in “assay-ready” formats. The license permits customers to purchase probes from IDT for use in the 5’ Nuclease Assay. Currently, researchers purchase probes and primers in separate tubes, and often from separate vendors that disclaim any licensed right of the customer to use the probes in the 5’ Nuclease Assay. The license to the ‘375 patent enables IDT to offer its design tool services for probes and primers for use in the Assay, and to supply the resulting PrimeTime probes and primers in a more convenient, ready-to-use format.

To design your next PrimeTime qPCR assay or probe, please visit our website.