WaferGen Biosystems snagged an exclusive license from Rutgers University for an RNA quality control technology, which was developed at RUCDR Infinite Biologics under the leadership of Jay A. Tischfield, Ph.D., and Andrew I. Brooks, Ph.D. RUCDR Infinite Biologics is a Rutgers University-based cell and DNA repository.

The company intends to develop and commercialize products based on the patent’s concept utilizing WaferGen’s high-throughput qPCR SmartChip System.

“The accuracy and relevance of gene expression assays largely depend on the quality of the samples being analyzed. Unlike DNA, RNA is prone to rapid degradation which can lead to unreliable results that affect both research and clinical diagnostic data. Assessing the quality and integrity of RNA samples is of paramount importance prior to conducting experiments. Current QC methods use indirect measurements and lack the robustness and veracity needed to make conclusive assessments of the samples’ quality. Our approach incorporates multiple tissue-dependent cDNA measurements and provides a much more stringent measure of sample quality as it pertains to downstream analyses. WaferGen’s high-throughput qPCR platform allows us to implement our multianalyte solution in a rapid and cost-effective manner,” said Dr. Tischfield, founder and CEO of RUCDR.

The SmartChip Real-Time PCR System is a next-generation genetic analysis platform for profiling and validating molecular biomarkers. According to WaferGen, it provides a range of high-throughput capabilities including microRNA and mRNA gene expression profiling as well as single-nucleotide polymorphism genotyping.

In April, WaferGen Biosystems embarked on a strategic realignment with the SmartChip at its core. The company’s new focus is on accurate high-throughput qPCR projects for gene expression, genotyping, and target enrichment for next-generation sequencing in a simpler and more cost-effective way.

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