Cambridge, England, United Kingdom
July 17, 2009
TwistDx, a developer of
point-of-use nucleic acid diagnostics, announced today the
launch of its TwistAmpTM product range, the world’s first DNA
amplification products based on Recombinase Polymerase
Amplification (RPA). Concurrently, TwistDx also launched the
Twista™ portable, real-time fluorometer, an easy-to-use RPA
reader. RPA is a proprietary technique, employing recombinase
enzymes, used to amplify nucleic acids in any biological sample,
with high analytical sensitivity and specificity.
Each of the four currently available TwistAmp™ kits (outlined
below) offers scientists the ability to detect DNA molecules in
a mixed sample within 10-15 minutes, less than half the time of
most PCR systems. Moreover, RPA operates at low, constant
temperatures and does not even require initial melting of the
sample DNA, opening the way to broader access to end-users
without reliance on expensive thermocyclers. RPA has also been
shown to be highly resistant to crude samples in comparison to
PCR suggesting applications in on-the-spot field testing
requiring no nucleic acid extraction.
The Twista™ portable real-time fluorometer is a customised
platform containing proprietary fluorescent probe systems
developed by the company to accurately monitor RPA reactions.
Although seamlessly integrated with the TwistaTM device,
TwistAmp™ kits can be used in combination with various, widely
used assay platforms, such as conventional analysis tools (e.g.
on agarose gels), dipsticks, as well as broadly available
fluorescence plate readers and real-time PCR machines.
“Our TwistAmp™ kit offers researchers a flexible and
cost-effective solution to achieve DNA amplification in
significantly less time. With laboratory analysis a critical but
often time-consuming aspect of biomedical research, we believe
these new research tools provide our customers with a viable
alternative to PCR, which although very effective is costly to
access and time consuming,” said Dr. Niall Armes, CEO of
TwistDx. “In particular, real-time PCR devices are very
expensive; a laboratory could purchase multiple TwistaTM devices
for the same price. Field researchers may also be able to easily
perform their measurements in a mobile setting as TwistAmp™
enzyme and nucleotide mixes are provided in a freeze-dried form
that demonstrates good stability at ambient temperatures. The
Twista™ device will be available with portable battery pack and
standalone software.”
The TwistAmp™ product range can be ordered through
the TwistDx website.
Details of each product can be found below:
TwistAmp™ Basic kit
The Basic kit contains all enzymes and reagents necessary
for the amplification of DNA. Primers and the template must
be supplied by the user. Amplification success is typically
assessed by an end-point method, such as gel
electrophoresis. Amplified material can also be purified and
used for down-stream applications (e.g. subcloning).
TwistAmp™ exo kit
The exo kit is recommended for users who want to combine the
TwistDx amplification technology with the company’s
proprietary fluorescent exo GapProbeTM in a homogenous
format. In addition to the basic components, it contains a
powerful nuclease (Exonuclease III) which processes exo
GapProbeTM during the amplification reaction and generates a
real-time read-out. The presence of Exonuclease III reduces
the final overall yield of amplified material at endpoint
and so is not suitable for analysis on gels, however it is
the preferred system for generating strong fluorescence
signal kinetics in the RPA system.
TwistAmp™ nfo kit
The nfo kit is designed for users who want to detect the
success of their amplification reaction by means of
end-point ‘sandwich-assays’, such as lateral-flow (LF)
strips. Besides the basic amplification reagents, it
includes a nuclease (nfo) that can generate new polymerase
extension substrates within suitable LF GapProbeTM. The
amplified material can then be used in instrument–free
detection formats. The TwistAmpTM nfo kit can also be used
for fluorescence monitoring using fluorescent exo GapProbeTm
as an alternative to the TwistAmpTM exo kit as nfo processes
these probes (often with slightly slower kinetics) and will
in addition permit product to be analysed by gels at
endpoint.
TwistAmpTM fpg kit
The fpg kit is tailored for users who want to combine the
TwistDx amplification technology with an alternative TwistDx
reporter probe system, fluorescent fpg GapProbeTM, in a
homogenous format. These probes have less design constraints
than exo GapProbeTM, although kinetics of fluorescence
accumulation may be slower. In addition to the basic
components it contains a powerful nuclease (fpg) that
processes fpg GapProbeTM during the amplification reaction
itself and generate a real-time read-out. The presence of
fpg will not reduce the final overall yield of amplified
material, in contrast to the use of Exonuclease III in the
TwistAmpTM exo kit, allowing end point gel analysis, but the
kinetics of probe cutting can be slower than that with the
exo system.
Twista™ portable real-time fluorometer
The Twista™ portable real-time fluorometer is a customised
device developed for monitoring RPA reactions containing
TwistDx’s fluorescent probe systems, exo GapProbeTM, fpg
GapProbeTM, or intercalating dyes should they be employed.
The Twista™ contains a heated incubation chamber for a strip
of 8 tubes perfectly designed for the RPA reagents supplied
in the TwistAmp™ kits, and can monitor fluorescence in
real-time in two colour channels with exquisite sensitivity.
The Twista™ has a small footprint and can be rendered
entirely portable with the addition of a rechargeable
battery pack. Data can be analysed by PC-link, or
alternatively the device can function as a standalone unit
capable of storing and running user-defined methods to call
samples positive and negative for any characterised assay.
TwistDx, Ltd., based in
Cambridge, UK, is a privately-held diagnostic company that is
developing novel tests based on breakthrough DNA amplification
technology. These tests retain the highest possible levels of
specificity and sensitivity, while adding extraordinary speed
and portability compared to current DNA diagnostics in use.
Ultimately the company believes this new generation of tests
will provide gold standard DNA testing globally in point of care
and field settings. TwistDx’s revolutionary technology,
Recombinase Polymerase Amplification (RPA), is positioned to
become the DNA-based diagnostic platform of the future, with
wide ranging applications in a number of fields, including
medical diagnostics, veterinary medicine, industrial
applications, agriculture, public health and biosecurity and
environmental sensing. More information about TwistDx is
available at
www.twistdx.co.uk. |
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