Ghent University signs agreement to use Roche's LightCycler 1536 Instrument for cancer research

Roche (SIX:RO)(SIX:ROG)(OTCQX:RHHBY) and Ghent University (Belgium) have signed an agreement for the use of Roche's LightCycler® 1536 Instrument in various cancer research projects in Ghent. Studies include multigene expression signature profiling on cancer research samples and, digital PCR for sensitive detection of mutant cancer cells in a background of normal cells. Furthermore, DNA methylation analysis studies, copy number variant screening (CNV), and amplicon generation for next generation sequencing are part of the planned experiments. One potentially groundbreaking study is a qPCR based transcriptome-wide profiling, which represents a tremendous undertaking and novel approach in this research area. In a pilot experiment, Ghent University plans to measure all human genes in the four MAQC reference RNA samples.

“We expect a boost of new findings, also on the use of the LightCycler® Instrument and our Genome Sequencer FLX System in an integrated workflow.”

"We are quite enthusiastic and foresee many exciting studies and possible applications of the LightCycler® 1536 Instrument in our work," said Jo Vandesompele, Professor of functional cancer genomics and applied bio-informatics at Ghent University and co-founder and CEO at Biogazelle, a real-time PCR data-analysis and service company.

"We are glad that our system will be an essential part of the cutting edge cancer research at Ghent University.", stated Manfred Baier, Head of Roche Applied Science. "We expect a boost of new findings, also on the use of the LightCycler® Instrument and our Genome Sequencer FLX System in an integrated workflow."

The LightCycler® 1536 Instrument is based on the well-established LightCycler® 480 Platform architecture. It supports the combination of two excitation filters with two detection filters, which are optimized for detecting green intercalating dyes as well as monocolor and dual-color hydrolysis probes. This makes optical read-out as specific as possible for chemical detection formats, while reducing the overall complexity of experimental layouts in a high-throughput scenario. The systems software is particularly suited to enhancing compatibility for automated high-throughput data analysis workflows.

The LightCycler® 1536 Multiwell Plate is the first high-density PCR plate for real-time PCR applications. By using Thermaxis® technology, this unique multiwell plate enables unsurpassed thermal performance in miniaturized reaction volumes of only 0.5 - 2 µL. The plate consists of two components: a thermally conductive unit containing well-like structures for the reaction liquid and an insulating top layer that prevents the heated lid of the instrument from affecting the analysis.