First complete kit for whole genome amplification and labeling

Kreatech Biotechnology BV has announced the launch of the "Genome-pULSe, arrayCGH Whole Genome Amplification and Labeling Kit" the latest addition to their product portfolio for arrayCGH analysis.

This kit combines Qiagen's whole genome amplification (WGA) technology, which allows amplification of very small amounts of genomic DNA isolated from tissue or cells, with Kreatech's ULS reagents necessary to label these samples for arrayCGH analysis, thereby offering a more complete solution to scientists carrying out arrayCGH analysis. The Genome-pULSe Kit is available with the ULS labeling molecule bound to Cy3 and Cy5 dyes licensed from GE Healthcare. The WGA technology included in the kit is the REPLI-g kit from Qiagen.

ArrayCGH analysis of particular samples, such as small needle tumor biopsies, can be limited by the small amount of sample available. Traditional methods of genomic DNA amplification include the time-consuming process of creating EBV-transformed cell lines followed by whole genome amplification using random or degenerate oligonucleotide-primed PCR. However, all PCR-based methods can generate non-specific amplification artefacts, resulting in the incomplete coverage of loci. In addition to this, conventional methods that are based on enzymatic incorporation of modified nucleotides used to label the amplified DNA for subsequent microarray analysis could further increase the bias in locus representation.

The Genome-pULSe Kit delivers a novel procedure for the uniform amplification and subsequent direct (non-enzymatic) labeling of whole genome DNA from small samples. This method has been designed to provide a quick and highly reproducible amplification and labeling procedure for arrayCGH analysis.

"The combination of the ULS technology with REPLI-g in the Genome-pULSe Kit enables us to deliver a unique product to researchers." said Brent Keller, General Manager, Kreatech USA and VP Commercial Operations, Kreatech Biotechnology BV. "It combines the advantage of Qiagen's Phi29 driven Whole Genome DNA Amplification with the direct, non-enzymatic ULS labeling technology. With the unique combination of ULS and REPLI-g, customers looking for amplification of small input volumes of genomic DNA for microarray applications will now be able to amplify and label directly for arrayCGH analysis. This is the first amplification and labeling kit available for arrayCGH analysis that enables customers to detect genetic aberrations without introducing bias during the amplification and labeling unlike conventional amplification and enzymatic labeling procedures".

The Genome-pULSe kit further completes Kreatech's arrayCGH product line. In June 2005 the company released the "ULS arrayCGH Labeling Kits". The ULS arrayCGH labeling kit has the unique feature of allowing the user to label genomic DNA directly in a one step labeling reaction (30 minutes), avoiding the need for a potentially biasing enzymatic step. This results in more accurate data as well as saving time. The ULS labeling efficiency is independent of fragment length making it ideal for use with archival DNA.

Kreatech's ULS technology relies on the special binding properties of platinum to form coordinative bonds with biomolecules by binding to specific sites on DNA, RNA and proteins. In this way, ULS acts as relatively simple "molecular glue" for DNA, RNA and proteins. As a result of its versatility, customers can attach any kind of molecular label to ULS and then bind the labeled ULS complex to the biomolecules of interest. Since the ULS technology does not require the enzymatic incorporation of modified nucleotides into RNA or DNA, it does not introduce bias.

Qiagen's REPLI-g technology is based on Multiple Displacement Amplification, which carries out isothermal genome amplification utilizing a uniquely processive DNA polymerase capable of replicating 100 kb without dissociating from the genomic DNA template. The DNA polymerase has a proofreading activity to maintain high fidelity during replication and provide highly uniform "bias free" DNA amplification across the entire genome.