RainDance Technologies, Inc., a provider of innovative droplet-based microfluidic solutions for human health and disease research, today announced that the J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI), a not for profit genomic research organization located in Rockville, MD and La Jolla, CA, will become an early access partner for its new RDT 1000 instrument and Sequence Enrichment application.
Under the Early Access Partner program, RainDance delivers its RDT 1000 and expert training to selected premier organizations in genomic research. RainDance will also provide customized PCR primer libraries designed to selectively amplify loci of interest for research initiatives at JCVI. "The program provides an opportunity for some of the world's leading scientists in genomic research to become experienced with our technology prior to our commercial launch," said Chris McNary, President and Chief Executive Officer of RainDance Technologies.
The RDT 1000 and Sequence Enrichment application utilizes RainDance's breakthrough RainStorm(TM) droplet-based technology platform. The simplicity, speed, and minute volume of the technology are designed to maximize the efficiency of JCVI's next-generation DNA sequencing workflow. The RDT 1000 generates picoliter volume PCR reactions at the rate of 10 million discrete reactions per hour. The high-speed sample processing is further enhanced by the fact that the Sequence Enrichment application utilizes a library of PCR primers in droplets enabling the amplification of hundreds to thousands of genomic loci in a single tube. The RainStorm format avoids limitations of traditional multiplex hybridization and amplification technologies. The RainDance solution minimizes process-induced bias or error and requires only a few micrograms of genomic DNA.
JCVI scientists "will incorporate the RainStorm application into the various large-scale targeted sequencing studies as part of our on-going research programs in human genomic medicine," said Robert L. Strausberg, Ph.D., Deputy Director and Group Leader, Genomic Medicine, JCVI.
"We are looking forward to working closely with JCVI as they integrate our technology to support their breakthrough research," McNary said. "We're also anxiously anticipating the results of the performance of our technology in their hands. It is our expectation their experience will further reinforce the RainStorm technology platform's benefits in human health and disease research," he said.
"This expert experience will be invaluable as we prepare for our commercial launch in the first quarter of 2009," McNary added.