New TaqMan® Assays for the detection and quantitation of human microRNA

Applied Biosystems has recently launched its TaqMan? MicroRNA Assays for the detection and quantitation of mature human microRNA (miRNA) expression levels, a promising new area of genomic research. miRNAs are a recently discovered class of small RNA molecules that represent a new layer of post-transcriptional gene regulation that is not yet fully characterised.

These novel assays eliminate major challenges in detecting and quantifying miRNAs and are expected to stimulate research in areas such as cancer, stem cell research, and developmental biology. Based on the industry-standard TaqMan reagent-based chemistry, Applied Biosystems’ proprietary stem-loop reverse transcription assay technology, and real-time PCR, the assays provide highly sensitive and reproducible data through a simple two-step process.

Unlike other conventional methods such as hybridisation arrays, the TaqMan MicroRNA Assays allow researchers to discriminate between mature miRNA and its precursor form. The assays are pre-designed and validated probe and primer sets requiring very small starting samples (1-10 nanograms of RNA or equivalent), allowing researchers to conserve valuable samples and simplify the analytical process. High-quality results are available in less than three hours from purified RNA, cell lysates and whole cells.

The current product portfolio includes a set of 157 human assays with three non-vertebrate negative controls and an individually available miR-16 assay. In Spring 2006, Applied Biosystems will be launching more than 370 individual assays for human, mouse and rat microRNAs, and assays for additional species will soon follow, including Arabidopsis, C. elegans and Drosophila. 
 
For more information about the TaqMan MicroRNA Assays, please visit: http://mirna.appliedbiosystems.com.        

© 2006 Applied Biosystems. All rights reserved.
For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

The PCR process and 5’ nuclease process are covered by patents owned by Roche Molecular Systems, Inc. and F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, and by patents owned or licensed to Applera Corporation.  Further information on purchasing licenses may be obtained from the Director of Licensing, Applied Biosystems, 850 Lincoln Centre Drive, Foster City, Califormia 94404, USA

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TaqMan is a registered trademark of Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.

Further Information: http://mirna.appliedbiosystems.com.

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