RainDance Technologies,
Inc., a provider of innovative microdroplet-based solutions for human health
and disease research, today announced that it has shipped its new RDT 1000 instrument
and Sequence Enrichment application to The Genome Center (GC) at the Washington
University School of Medicine in St. Louis, a world leader in genomics research.
Under RainDance's Early Access Partner program, RainDance will provide its new
RDT 1000 and expert training to the GC, along with customized PCR primer libraries
to selectively amplify loci of interest for their research initiatives.
Elaine Mardis, Ph.D., Co-Director of The Genome Center, said GC researchers
"will be applying the platform in our large-scale targeted sequencing studies
and are enthusiastic about reporting their experiences and results."
"If the technology delivers as promised, RainDance Technology stands to
significantly advance the art of targeted sequencing," Dr. Mardis said.
"As a leader in advancing genome sequencing and its application to human
health, we're very excited about the participation of the GC in our Early Partnership
Program. Their input and experience will be invaluable as we introduce the RainStorm
platform to the world's DNA sequencing market," said Chris McNary, President
and Chief Executive Officer of RainDance Technologies.
"RainDance plans to commercially launch the RainDance platform in the first
quarter of 2009," McNary added.
The RDT 1000 and Sequence Enrichment application utilize RainDance's breakthrough
RainStorm droplet-based technology platform. The simplicity, speed, and minute
volume of the technology are designed to maximize the efficiency of next-generation
DNA sequencing workflows. The RDT 1000 generates picoliter volume PCR reactions
at the rate of 10 million discrete reactions per hour. The high-speed sample
processing is further enhanced by the fact that the Sequence Enrichment application
utilizes a library of PCR primers in droplets enabling the amplification of
hundreds to thousands of genomic loci in a single tube. The RainStorm format
avoids the limitations of traditional multiplex hybridization and amplification
technologies. RainDance's solution minimizes process-induced bias or error and
requires only a few micrograms of genomic DNA.