Enzymes and reagents for PCR- and NGS-based molecular diagnostics (MDx)
Picture how you want your molecular diagnostic assay to perform at its commercial peak. Now, select the right enzymes and reagents with that performance in mind. LGC Biosearch Technologies’ experts are on hand to help you find the optimal blend of technologies, with a portfolio that allows you to flex and scale – without compromising on quality.
Read on for more information on:
Finding the perfect mix
Molecular diagnostics developers don’t have time for trial and error, as R&D costs accrue and a market need sits unfulfilled. That’s why the process of optimising enzymes and reagents is key. Companies need a partner that can deliver quality products while also guiding material selection and development. Our team at Biosearch Technologies helps with everything from:
Selecting the right off-the-shelf or custom enzyme for your application.
Testing and optimising the use of that enzyme to maximise assay performance.
Hands-on technical support if challenges arise – whether that’s compatibility issues or sub-optimal enzyme concentrations, volumes or quantities.
We don’t just help you get started; we help you grow. From initial R&D development to larger-scale production, we manufacture critical raw materials in-house and provide your team with a reliable supply of enzymes and reagents, in the right concentrations and at the right time.
Nucleic acid isolation kits for molecular diagnostics
Our suite of DNA and RNA extraction and purification reagents yield high-quality nucleic acids, without burdening your team with lengthy protocols and complex workflows. Our experts are readily available to guide the right selection for your needs or we customise a novel solution in our ISO-certified facilities.
Choose from a variety of kits depending on whether you require:
A fast and simple protocol that saves time and money
Crude extractions suited for high-throughput genotyping by PCR
Highly purified nucleic acids for more sensitive downstream applications (like NGS)
A fully automatable chemistry to increase throughput
Compatibility with a variety of sample types, including difficult samples such as FFPE
High yields of DNA and various RNAs
Non-hazardous, safe kit reagents
QuickExtract™ DNA Extraction Solution
This DNA extraction solution can rapidly and efficiently extract PCR-ready genomic DNA from many samples using a simple, one-tube protocol and non-toxic reagents. Our partners have used this solution on samples that include hair follicles and buccal cells.
QuickExtract is right for you if:
- You need a fast and easy protocol supporting various sample types.
- Crude nucleic acid extraction is sufficient for your application like PCR (typically not for NGS or other sensitive downstream applications).
- You do not require a fully automated solution, but still need high throughput.
Example applications: PCR analyses in applications such as genomic or viral DNA screening in human samples, T7E1 CRISPR mutation detection assays.
learn more
QuickExtract™ RNA Extraction Solution
The QuickExtract RNA Extraction Solution is a fast, simple way of preparing RNA for RT-PCR (both endpoint and real-time). This kit uses a single-tube system with non-toxic reagents that only requires vortex mixing to lyse the cells and prepare the RNA for cDNA synthesis. The kit works with cells from human samples. It is however not suitable for tissue samples. An optional DNase I treatment may improve certain downstream applications.
Example applications: cDNA synthesis for PCR and NGS applications, end-point and real-time RT-PCR.
learn more
mag™ and sbeadex™ Kits
The mag and the sbeadex kits (e.g. sbeadex blood, sbeadex forensic, mag mini/maxi and mag nanogram) use magnetic beads to purify DNA from a variety of blood sample types such as EDTA heparin, citrate and buffy coats as well as swab matrices, tissue and forensic samples. They support automated DNA extractions using magnetic particle handlers, as well as liquid handlers. While our mag kits are based on proven, conventional magnetic beads, sbeadex kits use an innovative next-generation technology of double-coated magnetic beads that yield improved DNA quality and omit enzyme inhibiting organic solvents in the final eluate.
mag and sbeadex kits are right for you if:
- Highly purified nucleic acids are required for a variety of downstream applications like PCR or NGS.
- A fully automatable solution is needed to support high-throughput workflows.
Example applications: Enzymatic fragmentation in NGS applications, PCR analyses, Sanger sequencing.
learn more
sbeadex™ Pathogen Nucleic Acid Purification Kit
This kit delivers excellent yields of highly purified DNA and RNA from pathogens collected in swab or sputum samples. It is excellent for pathogen-testing protocols including SARS-CoV-2, influenza and easy-to-lyse bacterial pathogens.
Example applications: PCR/qPCR, RT-PCR/qRT-PCR, NGS.
learn more
MasterPure™ Complete DNA and RNA Purification Kit
MasterPure purification kits use non-hazardous reagents to purify total nucleic acid (TNA), high molecular weight genomic DNA, as well as total cellular RNA (large and small RNAs) from many different sample types, including FFPE samples, blood, bacteria and viruses.
MasterPure Kits are right for you if:
- You require high yield, high purity nucleic acids
- You need compatibility for a wide range of sale types
- You do not require a fully automated setup where throughput is not a priority
Example applications: qPCR, library preparation for sequencing of genomic DNA and RNA, DNA methylation studies, genomic DNA and cDNA cloning, microarray analyses (CGH, gene expression profiling, etc.)
learn more
Enzymes and master mixes for PCR-based molecular diagnostics
RapiDxFire™ Thermostable Reverse Transcriptase
This highly thermostable, proprietary reverse transcriptase was first identified in a virus isolated from a hot spring. It performs fast and efficient first-strand cDNA synthesis using gene-specific primers. For MDx developers, its rapid reaction time (5 minutes or less) can support a streamlined RT-qPCR workflow and faster time to results.
learn more
RapiDxFire qPCR 5X Master Mix GF
A high-performing lyo-compatible master mix for sensitive pathogen detection (down to ~10 genomic DNA copies). Formulated with diagnostic kit developers in mind, this master mix can be combined with gene-specific primers and hydrolysis probes for immediate use in high-throughput laboratory developed test (LDT) workflows or further processed for lyophilisation and use in point-of-care (POC) devices. With a wide dynamic range, this product is also a good fit for multiplexed tests.
learn more
RapiDxFire Hot Start Taq DNA Polymerase
This polymerase activates in as little as 15 seconds, delivering sensitive detection of low abundance target DNA (down to ~10 genomic DNA copies). Ideal for standard end-point PCR and qPCR applications, including biomarker discovery and monitoring, gene expression analyses, SNP genotyping and other diagnostic tests.
learn more
Enzymes and reagents for NGS-based molecular diagnostics
High-quality, high-yield nucleic acids and efficient library prep are central to the success of next-generation sequencing (NGS). Our dedicated teams will work with you to provide specialty sample preparation and library preparation components for your NGS-based workflows.
Click below to explore our reagents:
Start with a small batch for your pilot studies and scale up to bulk orders when you’re ready.
| Enzyme | Overview | Example applications |
|---|---|---|
| NxGen™ T4 DNA Ligase | T4 DNA Ligase catalyses the formation of a phosphodiester bond between the terminal 5′ phosphate and 3′ hydroxyl groups of duplex DNA or RNA. | Workhorse enzyme for adapter ligation to build complex libraries. |
|
An E.coli DNA polymerase I fragment that lacks 5′ to 3′ exonuclease activity but retains 3′ to 5′ exonuclease activity and 5′ to 3′ polymerase activity. |
Used in second-strand cDNA synthesis. Used to form blunt ends by removing 3′ overhangs or filling in 5′ overhangs. |
|
| T4 Polynucleotide Kinase (PNK) | Phosphorylates 5′ ends of ssDNA, dsDNA, RNA and nucleoside 3′ monophosphates. | Used in DNA sequencing to label the 5′ end of DNA and RNA with 32P or 33P. |
| Exo-Minus Klenow DNA Polymerase (D355A, E357A) | A Klenow DNA polymerase that lacks all 5′ to 3′ and 3′ to 5′ exonuclease activity. | Used in second-strand cDNA synthesis and strand-displacement amplification. Adds an ʻAʼ base to the 3' end of the blunt phosphorylated DNA fragments, using the polymerase activity. |
| Circligase™ ssDNA Ligase | Thermostable ligase that catalyses the intramolecular ligation of ssDNA templates. | Used in the circularisation of ssDNA that can be used as templates for rolling-circle replication. |
|
Also known as UDG, UNG catalyses the release of uracil from single and double stranded uracyl-containing DNA. The resulting abasic sites are susceptible to cleavage. |
Used in combination with Endonuclease VIII to generate a single nucleotide gap (with terminal 5' and 3' phosphates) at a uracil site. |
|
|
Acts as both an N-glycosylase and an AP-lyase in releasing damaged pyrimidines in DNA. |
Used in combination with UNG (UDG) to generate a single nucleotide gap (with terminal 5' and 3' phosphates) at a uracil site. |
|
| Ampligase™ Thermostable DNA Ligase | Highly thermostable DNA ligase for applications where ligation at high temperatures is beneficial. | Useful in MIP-Seq and similar applications. |
| Hybridase™ Thermostable RNase H | Degrades RNA in a DNA:RNA hybrid without affecting DNA or any unhybridised RNA at high reaction temperatures. | Useful in removing rRNA from total RNA samples prior to library construction. |
| Ribonuclease R (RNase R) | A 3′ to 5′ exoribonuclease that digests linear RNAs but spares lariat or circular RNA. | Useful for screening introns in cDNA libraries. |
| T4 RNA Ligase 2, Deletion Mutant | Ligates single-stranded adenylated DNA or RNA oligos to RNA targets for a variety of applications. | Used in the preparation of cDNA libraries for small-RNA transcriptome analysis (eg. RNA-seq) |
|
An RNA-dependent MMLV DNA polymerase which is highly efficient at producing full-length cDNA from RNA templates. |
Used in first-strand cDNA synthesis for downstream NGS applications. |
|
| EpiScript™ RNase H-Reverse Transcriptase | An optimised reverse transcriptase for production of full-length cDNA from as little as 100pg of total RNA/low abundance RNA. | Used in first-strand cDNA synthesis for subsequent NGS analysis. |