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Bio-Techne and Oxford Nanopore Technologies Launch a Revolutionary Carrier Screening Kit

Bio-Techne Corporation, a prominent player in life sciences, has teamed up with Oxford Nanopore Technologies to introduce the AmplideX® Nanopore Carrier Plus Kit. This innovative product emerges as a game-changer in the world of genetic testing, particularly in the field of carrier screening research. The AmplideX Nanopore Carrier Plus Kit integrates cutting-edge nanopore sequencing technology, which allows for the analysis of genes that traditional short-read sequencing methods struggle to resolve.

Bridging the Gap in Genetic Testing

As of 2021, guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) have embraced an expanded list of genes for carrier screening. Unfortunately, half of the ten most common genes associated with genetic disorders pose significant challenges for laboratories employing standard sequencing methods. This situation has compelled labs to rely on a myriad of testing technologies, including MLPA, Sanger sequencing, and qPCR, resulting in a fragmented and inefficient testing process.

The new AmplideX Nanopore Carrier Plus Kit aims to solve this issue by providing a comprehensive, streamlined solution. Laboratories utilizing this kit can move away from a convoluted approach and adopt a singular workflow that simplifies sample analysis and delivers accurate results. The kit includes an 11-gene panel that covers pivotal genes—CFTR, CYP21A2, F8 inversions, GBA, SMN1, among others—that are typically overlooked or misinterpreted by legacy methods.

Enhanced Data and Simplified Analysis

Through its unique combination of long-range PCR and nanopore sequencing, the kit effectively captures large genomic variants, a feat that has proven difficult with previous technologies. The accompanying analysis software facilitates easy interpretation of results, eliminating the need for complex bioinformatics infrastructure. This attribute is essential for laboratories aiming to expedite their testing processes while maintaining high accuracy and reliability in results.

Dr. Matt McManus, President of Bio-Techne's Diagnostics & Spatial Biology Segment, commented on the launch, stating, "We chose nanopore sequencing for our AmplideX Nanopore Carrier Plus Kit due to its capability to deliver rich, actionable data. This positions labs to provide superior, cost-effective carrier screening outcomes."

Moreover, Gordon Sanghera, CEO of Oxford Nanopore Technologies, lauded the partnership stating, "We are thrilled that Bio-Techne recognizes the unparalleled value of nanopore reads, enhancing this vital new gene panel for carrier screening research. This collaboration is poised to alleviate the burdens on lab teams that, until now, had to juggle multiple technologies to meet expanded carrier screening guidelines."

The Future of Carrier Screening

The launch of this kit marks an essential milestone for genetic testing and carrier screening, promising to improve diagnostic capabilities while simplifying workflows across laboratories. With the AmplideX Nanopore Carrier Plus Kit, Bio-Techne, in collaboration with Oxford Nanopore Technologies, is set to redefine standards in genetic testing and contribute to more informed family planning decisions.

In conclusion, with its adoption of innovative kit solutions, Bio-Techne continues to uphold its reputation for delivering advanced molecular diagnostics. By providing researchers with the tools they need to stretch their understanding of genetics, the company stands at the forefront of the biotechnology field, shaping the future of genetic diagnostics for more accurate and informative healthcare decisions.