The automation of these microarrays, normally a slow and laborious manual process, has the potential to speed up discoveries based on DNA research, leading to new disease treatments and perhaps one day to personalised medicine.
Febit's Geniom RT Analyzer is an all-in-one device that uses a microfluidic biochip that uses miniscule amounts of the chemicals needed as well as the baths required by the standard set-up.
Not only does this save operating time, excellent reproducibility and high sensitivity, it also allows fluids and chemicals to be moved in and out quickly instead of minutes leaving behind fewer residues and therefore offering higher sample throughput.
In addition, the programmable temperature control optimises hybridisations and enables the use of enzymatic reactions directly on the microfluidic array for signal enhancement and primer extension assays.
"The Geniom RT Analyzer benefits from incorporating sample loading, hybridisation, washing, staining and detection all in one single benchtop instrument," the company said.
"What is more, the analyser includes active motion hybridisation in the microchannels of the microarrays."
Based upon the Geniom Technology, febit offers microarray analytics for a broad spectrum of DNA and RNA samples. The array design can be chosen from current databases or freely configured by the user.
Current Geniom arrays currently available include microRNA profiling (latest version of Sanger miRBase; efficient extension by additional content) and mRNA profiling (pathway arrays, focus arrays, signature arrays). Custom microarrays can be produced on request according to user specifications.
Febit, based in Heidelberg, Germany form a growing band of Genomic outfits, which have solely concentrated its expertise in automating the research scientists must carry out in order to understand how which genes perform which roles within the human body.
The sequencing of the human genome has bought attention to the potential of uncovering the secrets the human genome has yet to yield. In equal measures the public has become well aware of the impact DNA has in the origin and progression of disease.
However, many scientists are adamant the true promise of genomics technology has not been realised at the current time. The main explanation may involve the transition from constructing maps of a certain animal's genetic makeup (as the Human Genome Project achieved in 2003) to grasping the individual genes' role and how they can be controlled.
The process requires many complex experiments to be undertaken as well as the subsequent interpretation of the data produced.
The Geniom RT Analyser will be available next month in Germany and in the U.S in May with the basic analyser starting at approximately $100,000.
