Open and robust platform allows laboratories to use one system for multiple molecular applications, including the detection of SNPs and multi-gene targets for pharmacogenetics
Nanogen, a developer of advanced diagnostic products, has begun shipping its second-generation instrument, the NanoChip 400, both domestically (ie, to the USA) and to Europe.
The general laboratory system for molecular biology applications utilises the company's improved NanoChip 400-site electronic microarray, upon which homebrew molecular assays can be developed in clinical and research laboratories.
Building on features customers valued with the first-generation NanoChip molecular biology workstation and 100-site chip, the new multi-purpose system combines sample and reagent handling robotics with detection in an instrument half the size of its predecessor.
The open and robust platform creates the opportunity for laboratories to use one system for multiple molecular applications, including the detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and multi-gene targets like those tested for pharmacogenetics.
The NanoChip 400 cartridge used with the system is a blank microarray template that constructs the user defined panel of genetic markers on one chip at the time of sample testing.
The cartridge has 400 test sites that can be used for any combination of multiple genes and multiple samples and can be used multiple times until the 400 test sites are used.
This cartridge reusability makes the NanoChip 400 system easier and more cost-effective to use than research-grade thousand-gene chip arrays and more suitable than polymerase chain reaction (PCR) when multi-allele or multi-gene assays are of interest, says Nanogen.
The system is ideal for mid- to high-volume laboratories where the need to streamline testing and workflow is a high priority.
"I am very excited about the new instrument," said Steve Cook, manager of molecular diagnostics at Lahey Clinic in Boston.
"I think it is going to be great for us as a customer and great for Nanogen as a vendor.
"The walk-away capability will be a valuable improvement over the molecular biology workstation and will allow us to consolidate and streamline our workflow.
"This capability may open up the instrument for us to do more homebrew designs".
"Our first deliveries of the NanoChip 400 system mark a significant milestone in the development of our company," said Howard Birndorf, Nanogen chairman and CEO.
"Moving products out of development and into our commercial product portfolio will contribute significantly to our revenue in the coming quarters.
"We're delighted to be able to offer new tools that facilitate the understanding of disease and can ultimately be used to improve the health of patients".
The NanoChip 400 is manufactured by Nanogen's long-standing collaborator Hitachi Instruments under the Food and Drug Administration's Quality System Regulation.
Nanogen has self-certified the instrument for European CE mark.
Nanogen's advanced technologies provide researchers, clinicians and physicians worldwide with improved methods and tools to predict, diagnose, and ultimately help treat disease.
The company's products include real-time PCR reagents, the NanoChip electronic microarray platform and a line of rapid diagnostic tests.
Nanogen's ten years of pioneering research involving nanotechnology holds the promise of miniaturisation and continues to be supported for its potential for diagnostic and biowarfare applications.
