Novus Biologicals Enhances Stem Cell Product Offering

Novus Biologicals has recently taken steps to broaden and enhance their product offering to stem cell researchers. Novus recently constructed a new laboratory facility specifically designed for testing stem cell products at their headquarters in Littleton, Colorado. This tissue culture lab will allow Novus to validate their antibodies for use in Immunocytochemistry, Immunofluorescence and Flow Cytometry.

Antibodies specific for stem cell markers will be validated using the human embryonal carcinoma cell line NTERA-2 as well as standard laboratory cell lines including HeLa, Jurkat, NIH/3T3 and RAW 264.7. In addition, six stem cell marker antibodies were recently validated for flow cytometric analysis (FACS), including:

• Nanog Antibody (NB100-588)
• OCT4 Antibody (NB100-2379)
• TRA-1-60 Antibody (NB100-730)
• TRA-1-81 Antibody (NB100-1833)
• SSEA1 Antibody (NB100-1831)
• SSEA3 Antibody (NB100-1832)

Novus has also expanded their stem cell product line by launching two new products. Novus' DGCR8 knockout mouse embryonic stem cells (catalog #: NBA1-19349) are unique because they allow for the specific study of the global role of microRNAs. Unlike the Dicer cell line, the only other comparable line for studying microRNAs, the DGCR8 cell line appears to be specific for microRNAs, whereas Dicer also affects other classes of small RNAs. Novus also recently launched a new rabbit polyclonal anti-Borealin antibody (catalog #: NBP1-22832). Borealin, or CDCA8, is a component of the chromosomal passenger complex (CPC), a complex that acts as a key regulator of mitosis, and has been shown that it is differentially expressed in embryonic stem cells and is essential for the early development. This new Borealin antibody has been tested in Western blot on mouse kidney lysate where a band at ~38kDa was visualized, and is also useful for human and rat tissues.

Novus' Stem Cell Antibody Catalog, released in September 2009, contains background information on embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells, tissue/organ specific stem cells, cancer stem cells, in addition to their stem cell product line. Similar information can also be found on Stem Cell Markers webpage. Novus’ Stem Cell eNewsletter is a free publication that features the latest news and discoveries in stem cell research, stem cell technique discussion, stem cell meeting calendar, as well as new stem cell product highlights.