Automated image analyser is allowing scientists at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine to rapidly check the quality of DNA being used to generate life saving anti-venom
Syngene reports that its GeneGenius automated image analyser is allowing scientists at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine to rapidly check the quality of DNA being used to generate life saving anti-venom.
Researchers in the Alistair Reid venom research unit at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine are using the Syngene GeneGenius to check the quality and quantity of DNA derived from genes encoding metalloprotease, C-type lectin, phospholipase A2, disintegrin and serine protease snake venom toxins of the three most medically-important viper species in Africa.
Using this DNA the scientists are immunising mice to produce antibodies which will neutralise the venom.
It is hoped that these antibodies can be further developed as broad use anti-venom.
A DNA immunisation approach is less expensive than traditional methods of producing anti-venom and will therefore make it affordable in countries such as Africa, where death caused by vipers is common (20,000 per annum).
Robert Harrison, research fellow in the Alistair Reid venom research unit, explained: "The GeneGenius is used by around 30 people, mainly to quality check PCR products on ethidium bromide stained gels.
"We chose it because it is cheaper than a high end Polaroid system and has the advantage of recording each gel. "The system offers a convenient way of storing images, which is useful because it means we do not have to digitise Polaroid images by scanning them in.
"This makes tracking every result easier and looking at raw data quicker.
"If our anti-venom is going to be used in clinical trials there have to be reliable records of the pre-clinical work and the GeneGenius provides this security".
