The system is specifically designed to enable drug discovery companies to customise applications with high throughput, continuous access and flexibility.
The system automates all assay steps required to perform Fluorescence In Situ Hybridisation (FISH), In Situ Hybridisation (ISH), and Immunohistochemistry (IHC), including the application of cover-slip, resulting in a completely finished slide that is ready to go directly on a microscope for review or on a BioGenex GenoMx VISION for digital image analysis.
Fluorescent IN SITU Hybridisation (FISH) is a relatively new technology utilising fluorescently labelled DNA probes to detect or confirm gene or chromosome abnormalities that are generally beyond the resolution of routine Cytogenetics. The sample DNA (metaphase chromosomes or interphase nuclei) is first denatured, a process that separates the complimentary strands within the DNA double helix structure. The fluorescently labelled probe of interest is then added to the denatured sample mixture and hybridises with the sample DNA at the target site as it reanneals (or reforms itself) back into a double helix. The probe signal can then be seen through a fluorescent microscope and the sample DNA scored for the presence or absence of the signal.
In Situ Hybridisation (ISH), is a powerful technique for detecting and localising specific nucleic acid sequences within cells or tissues. This is achieved by the hybridisation of a labelled probe to the specific RNA/DNA sequence within the cell and subsequent detection of the bound probe.
Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is a technique for localizing and visualizing an antigen in a tissue section by using an antibody specific for the target antigen. This type of diagnostic analysis, termed in situ testing, provides information at the cellular and sub-cellular level. The benefits are accurate and early diagnosis, prognosis, therapy selection and response, and ultimately better patient management. IHC may also be used for better drug development in preclinical studies and clinical studies.
The specifications and features of Xmatrx lend itself for the development of novel automated slide-based assays designed to perform DNA microarray hybridisations, in vitro and in situ PCR, DNA sequencing and the detection of SNPs and micro-deletions.
"This instrument has the potential to improve the accuracy and productivity of slide-based assay optimisation and validation for pharmacodynamic, pharmacogenomic and pharmacogenetic biomarkers as it enables testing multiple variables in just one run," said BioGenex medical director Dr Jeffrey Ross.
BioGenex CEO, Dr Krishan Kalra added: "The launch of this instrument underscores the power of genomics to accelerate the pace of molecular medicine."