New Gene Expression Kit for Multiplex Toxicity Screening

Beckman Coulter, Inc. has introduced the GenomeLab™ GeXP Rat MultitoxPlex Kit for preclinical drug research screening. The new kit for the GenomeLab GeXP Genetic Analysis System contains 25 genes involved in key toxicological pathways including toxicity, stress, DNA damage and apoptosis. It also includes three reference genes and one internal standard.

The GeXP Rat MultitoxPlex Kit and the GeXP System deliver multiplexed quantitative analysis of genes from hundreds of samples at a time, providing higher throughput than real-time PCR* along with important cost savings. GeXP Rat MultitoxPlex assays run in 96-well plate format, providing a quick way to screen large compound libraries. Researchers may also add their own genes of interest to the new Rat MultitoxPlex panel. The GeXP system analyses up to 30 genes in one reaction.

The GeXP Rat MultitoxPlex Kit contains a control RNA that verifies the accuracy of the assay. The kit is used in conjunction with the GenomeLab GeXP Start Kit, which contains all the necessary buffers and reagents to carry out the assay. The GeXP kits are for research use only.

“Many pharmaceutical companies are currently conducting preclinical toxicity studies looking at one gene at a time, using real-time PCR,” explained Zhiming Jiang, Ph.D., product manager for Beckman Coulter. “The new GenomeLab GeXP Rat MultiToxPlex Kit measures 25 genes in one reaction. This is just one more example of how Beckman Coulter can simplify and automate lab processes to bring significant benefits to the researcher.”

The GeXP technology was developed to fill the gap between whole genome microarrays and single-gene real-time PCR. With Beckman Coulter’s automation capabilities and validated methods, gene expression sample preparation, quantitation and normalisation and reaction setup can be carried out on the Biomek^® 3000 liquid handler using the Agencourt^® RNAdvance™ chemistry. When used together, the Biomek 3000 workstation, validated methods and the GeXP Genetic Analysis system deliver a complete solution for high-throughput quantitative gene expression analysis, from sample to answer within eight hours.

*The PCR process is covered by patents owned by Roche Molecular Systems and F. Hoffman-La Roche Ltd.