SEATTLE, March 23, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NanoString Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:NSTG), a provider of life science tools for translational research and molecular diagnostic products, today announced the commercial launch of nCounter® PlexSet™ reagents at the Association of Biomolecular Resource Facilities (ABRF) conference in San Diego, California. These new reagents enable nCounter digital gene expression analysis that is more efficient and cost-effective than ever before for high-throughput projects.
PlexSet reagents are compatible with a wide range of sample types, including total purified RNA from FFPE and fresh/frozen samples or cell lysates which can be processed with a simple “lyse-and-go” protocol for whole cells. This new technology is suitable for a variety of project types and can be used in any biological system where gene expression analysis is the marker of interest. Key applications include cell line screening, biomarker validation, drug screening and CRISPR studies.
"PlexSet technology eliminates the need for upfront probe validation and dramatically reduces the hands-on time required to process samples," said Christian H. Lytle, Molecular Biology Core Facility Manager at Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, who tested a beta version of PlexSet. “This allowed us to shorten the time required to complete a recent project from more than 12 weeks with qRT-PCR to just 2 weeks with PlexSet. These attributes make PlexSet an attractive alternative to qRT-PCR that is well suited for use in core labs.”
Mr. Lytle will be presenting a talk entitled “PlexSet Technology- A Highly Versatile Tool for CRISPR Screening” at the “Genome Engineering Using CRISPR/Cas9” workshop at the ABRF conference as well as a poster entitled “NanoString PlexSet: an alternative to qRT-PCR assays."
“PlexSet technology has the potential to provide an effective workflow to save us time and resources – which allows for direct detection from cell lysates and elimination of steps such as RNA purification, cDNA conversions, or upfront probe validations,” said Dr. Eric G. Anderson, Scientist at CRISPR Therapeutics.
NanoString is introducing a CRISPR grant program at the ABRF conference, and applications will be accepted from March 27 through May 19 of 2017. Five recipients will be awarded 192 reactions of the PlexSet reagents to utilize in their CRISPR research. For more information visit: http://www.nanostring.com/CRISPR_grant/
ABRF CRISPR-PlexSet Talk
Christian H. Lytle, Molecular Biology Core Facility Manager at Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth is presenting a talk entitled “PlexSet Technology- A Highly Versatile Tool for CRISPR Screening”
Date: Saturday, March 25, 2017
Time: 2:30pm - 3:00pm PT
Speaker: Christian H. Lytle, Molecular Biology Core Facility Manager at Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth
Location: (SW5) Genome Engineering using CRISPR/CAS9 Satellite Workshop
Abstract: NanoString technology is based on the direct digital detection of nucleic acid sequences using fluorescent optical color-coded barcode tags. We will be presenting data on CRISPR validation on CRISPR gene edited cells and total purified RNA. nCounter PlexSet reagents enable researchers to simultaneously confirm CRISPR hit validations and perform functional testing for up to 24 custom gene targets including mRNA, fusions, splice variants, off-targeted effects, and junctions for 96 samples in one run.
Like most NanoString assays, the direct digital quantification (no enzymes or amplification), technical assay controls, high sensitivity, and easy data analysis make this an ideal alternative to standard qRT-PCR. We will report on our experience using this technology and why we believe it could easily replace many of the qRT-PCR assays being conducted.
ABRF 3D Biology™ Luncheon Seminar
NanoString will be hosting a Luncheon Seminar at ABRF entitled “Accelerating Research with 3D Biology™: Simultaneous Single-molecule Quantification of DNA, RNA, and Protein Using Molecular Barcodes.”
Date: Sunday, March 26, 2017
Time: 3:45pm - 5:15pm PT
Speaker: Niro Ramachandran, Ph.D., Senior Director of Product Management, NanoString Technologies
Location: Platinum Presentations
Abstract: NanoString is pioneering the field of 3D Biology™ technology to accelerate the rate of research and maximize the amount of information that can be generated from a given sample. 3D Biology is the ability to analyze combinations of DNA (detect SNVs and InDels), RNA (Gene Expression or Fusion transcript detection), and Protein (abundance and post- translational modifications) simultaneously on a NanoString nCounter® system. The seminar will highlight the use of SNV Technology in detecting cancer driver mutations, the utility of multiplexed DNA-labeled antibody approaches to quantify protein expression levels from small amounts of sample (both lysate and FFPE), and demonstrate the utility of multi-analyte analysis and the novel insights this approach can uncover.
NanoString ABRF PlexSet Poster Presentation
These new technologies demonstrate NanoString's continued commitment to expanding the boundaries of biological research. At the 2017 ABRF Annual Meeting in San Diego, NanoString will showcase nCounter PlexSet capabilities at poster “Development of a 96-sample NanoString gene expression assay, nCounter® PlexSet™” at the ABRF conference at 5:30 PM-7:30 PM: Poster Sessions and Wine and Cheese Reception (Exhibit Hall).
For more information, please visit http://www.nanostring.com/PlexSet
For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.
About NanoString Technologies, Inc.
NanoString Technologies provides life science tools for translational research and molecular diagnostic products. The company's nCounter® Analysis System has been employed in life sciences research since it was first introduced in 2008 and has been cited in more than 1,500 peer-reviewed publications. The nCounter Analysis System offers a cost-effective way to easily profile the expression of hundreds of genes, proteins, miRNAs, or copy number variations, simultaneously with high sensitivity and precision, facilitating a wide variety of basic research and translational medicine applications, including biomarker discovery and validation. The company's technology is also being used in diagnostics. The Prosigna® Breast Cancer Prognostic Gene Signature Assay together with the nCounter Dx Analysis System is FDA 510(k) cleared for use as a prognostic indicator for distant recurrence of breast cancer. In addition, the company is collaborating with multiple biopharmaceutical companies in the development of companion diagnostic tests for various cancer therapies, helping to realize the promise of precision oncology.
For more information, please visit www.nanostring.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding the potential for researchers to increase efficiency and reduce costs and the use of resources through the use of PlexSet assays. Such statements are based on current assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially. These risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, include market acceptance of our products; delays or denials of regulatory approvals or clearances for products or applications; delays or denials of reimbursement for diagnostic products; the impact of competition; the impact of expanded sales, marketing, product development and clinical activities on operating expenses; delays or other unforeseen problems with respect to manufacturing, product development or clinical studies; adverse conditions in the general domestic and global economic markets; as well as the other risks set forth in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. NanoString Technologies disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
NanoString, NanoString Technologies, the NanoString logo, 3D Biology, nCounter, Prosigna and PlexSet are trademarks or registered trademarks of NanoString Technologies, Inc., in the United States and/or other countries.