New tool designed for biological applications such as cancer claims advantages including more meaningful results, high protein binding capacity, and improved shelf life
Sigma-Aldrich has introduced a new product it believes holds great promise in the fight against diseases such as cancer.
The product, called the Panorama Ab microarray cell signalling kit, is the first in a line of antibody-based microarrays.
Antibody microarrays are a valuable tool when researching cancer and other diseases in which growth, invasion and transmission may result from an abnormal network of cell signalling proteins.
Other types of arrays such as DNA/RNA/oligo are helpful in providing information on the genetic defects that may cause disease, while protein microarrays provide important information about the corresponding functional state.
"The advancement of microarrays and the development of our Panorama Ab microarray cell signalling kit will provide a significant advantage as the medical community continues its research efforts," said Leigh Gaskill, market segment manager of cell signaling and immunology.
"It is our hope that the advantages that the new kit offers will help make great progress in the fight against cancer and similar diseases.
"Process improvement has always been our focus and will continue to be, as we strive to help our customers be more successful in everything they do".
The Panorama Ab microarray kit offers several advantages, says Sigma-Aldrich.
First, through a careful selection and validation process, the Panorama kit will help provide researchers with more meaningful results.
Each kit consists of 224 immobilised antibodies, chosen from Sigma-Aldrich's range of over 3000. Each antibody is also available separately.
Second, the Panorama kit utilises a specialised format, maintaining antibody activity and specificity within a three-dimensional (3D) structure of the nitrocellulose layer.
The result? A high protein binding capacity, dynamic range and reproducibility.
Third, Sigma-Aldrich uses a specific, five to six hour direct labelling process that eliminates the potential for cross-specificity of antibody pairs. All proteins are labelled with reactive dyes, mixed and incubated on the microarray, allowing specific proteins to bind to antibodies on the array.
Finally, the Panorama Ab microarray kit features an improved shelf life - up to 12 months.
It's all made possible by a specific process that utilises a proprietary blocking buffer developed by Sigma-Aldrich.
