Caliper Life Sciences introduces automated nucleic acid fractionation instrument, LabChip XT

Caliper Life Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: CALP), a leading provider of tools and services for drug discovery and life sciences research, today introduced the LabChip XT, an automated nucleic acid fractionation instrument.  The solution removes a key bottleneck in the current workflow for next generation sequencing by replacing the tedious gel isolation and purification steps used for size selection of sheared genomic DNA.  The LabChip XT and its integrated software utilize a multi-channel microfluidic chip to quickly process samples independently and without the potential for cross contamination.

"The LabChip XT was developed in collaboration with leading sequencing centers and providers of next generation sequencing instrumentation and chemistries," said Kevin Hrusovsky, President and CEO, Caliper Life Sciences.  "We are confident that the LabChip XT, the first product Caliper is introducing to the sequencing market, will improve sample preparation efficiency and downstream data processing—two critical elements for next-gen sequencing. We are collaborating with our newly formed Sequencing Science Advisory Board to demonstrate these sequencing workflow improvements as well as to develop additional technology platforms in this sector."

The LabChip XT will be presented at the 2010 Advances in Genome Biology and Technology (AGBT) conference, February 24 – 27 in Marco Island, Florida.