Automated System Offers Ultrasensitive Isolation of Microbial DNA

The DNA contamination-free liquid handling technology uses prefilled cartridges enabling the targeted isolation of pure pathogen DNA from whole blood. This qualifies the system for applications using universal microbe identification and downstream applications including microarrays, real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), sequencing, and mass-spectrometry.

Called selectNA, the DNA-isolation technology provides up to 40,000-fold better assay sensitivity than the standard DNA-isolation protocol. The system enables detection of DNA from viable pathogens.

In addition to sensitivity, selectNA allows for the specific isolation of cell wall-protected or viable DNA. Whereas free-floating or dead microbial DNA is degraded, selectNA is suitable for many applications important for diagnostics, including therapy monitoring. SelectNA allows for culture-independent detection of viable microbes, including those not growing because of inhibition by antibiotics--culture-negative infections.

A product of NorDiag ASA (Oslo, Norway) selectNA is complements current downstream assays. NorDiag ASA is a biotechnology company developing, manufacturing, and marketing automated solutions including instruments and tests, for sample preparation of bacterial and human DNA from difficult biological samples.

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NorDiag ASA