
QIAGEN Launches New Digital PCR Kits and Software Upgrades for QIAcuity System
11-10-23 (by: Scott Gleason) QIAGEN has announced the launch of a suite of new digital PCR kits designed for use with its QIAcuity systems focused on the areas of cell and gene therapies, DNA and RNA quantification, as well as food and pharmaceutical safety. The company also announced new software to ease workflow for digital PRC.
The first new kit, the QIAcuity Mycoplasma Quant Kit, offers researchers a precise and reliable means of detecting mycoplasma contaminants at various stages of research and manufacturing in the cell and gene therapy field. Mycoplasma contamination is a significant concern in these sectors. The test has been third-party validated, conforming to mycoplasma testing guidelines laid out by regulatory bodies reducing the need fo in-house validation.
The second kit, the QIAcuity OneStep Advanced EG Kit, is designed to provide highly sensitive quantification capabilities for both RNA and DNA in a single reaction. This kit employs intercalating dye technology, simplifying the design of procedures and offering a cost-efficient alternative to fluorescent-probe-based PCR. The kit uses a patent-pending HotStart RT enzyme, which remains inactive at lower temperatures, allowing for reaction setup at room temperature streamlining workflows.
Lastly, QIAGEN introduces the QIAcuity mericon Food Testing Kits for food safety. These kits are the first ready-to-use digital PCR food tests available, enabling researchers to combat product adulteration by providing target-specific authentication of food and animal-feed ingredients.
In addition to the new kits, QIAGEN is set to launch the QIAcuity Software 2.5 update in November. This update is designed to facilitate digital PCR analyses by allowing researchers to determine the optimal temperature for their experiments using a temperature gradient, eliminating the need for external thermocyclers during test development. Additionally, the software will calculate the prevalence of targeted material and any required dilutions for individual tests.