March 13th, 2008 - The Institute of Biotechnology AS CR, v.v.i. purchased the high-throughput qPCR BIOMARK instrument  from Fluidigm, USA (http://www.fluidigm.com/).

The BIOMARK radically increases sample and assay throughput by performing gene expression quantification  in 48x48 Dynamic Array that produces 2,304 real-time PCR data points in a single run. The BIOMARK also enables digital PCR applications for target quantification, copy number variation (CNV) and mutation detection.

The BIOMARK can play a vital role in the advancement of today's life science and related fields, including molecular diagnostics, personalized medicine, and wildlife conservation (references).

The BIOMARK is located in the Laboratory of Gene Expression under supervision of Prof. Mikael Kubista. Begining of 2009, the Quantitative PCR Core Laboratory was founded in this laboratory. The Quantitative PCR Core Laboratory provides high-throughput gene expression analysis using real-time quantitative PCR.

Services include:

• One-on-one consulting on experimental design
• Automated RNA/DNA isolation using QIAcube (Qiagen)
• Probe/primer design
• Quantification of your RNA/DNA samples: Nanodrop quantification
• Determining quality of RNA/DNA samples: Experion Bioanalyzer (Bio-Rad) or 2100 Bioanalyzer (Agilent Technologies)
• Reverse transcription
• Preamplification
• Setting up your Real-Time PCR experiment (96 reaction plate). Instruments available: Realplex Mastercycler Eppendorf, C1000 Bio-Rad, Rotor Gene 6000 Qiagen, StepOne Real-Time PCR System and 7500 Fast Real-Time PCR System Applied Biosystems.
• Setting up Biomark Real-Time PCR experiment. Two different arrays are available:  Dynamic gene expression array (48x48 assays or 96x96 assays), Digital array (www.fluidigm.com)
• High resolution melt (Rotor Gene 6000 Qiagen and 7500 Fast Real-Time PCR System)
• Data analysis
• Training to use the method and equipment: TATAA qPCR courses (http://www.tataa.com/)

Pricing information is available on: www.img.cas.cz/ge/serv.html. For more information contact Vlasta Korenková, PhD. (vlasta.ctrnacta@img.cas.cz).