New Fluorescence Application of G:BOX Chemi Makes Studying Differential Protein Expression on one Western Blot a Reality

April 21 2006 Cambridge, UK: Syngene, a world-leading manufacturer of image analysis solutions, is pleased to announce its G:BOX Chemi multi-purpose imaging system, is being used by top French reagent supplier, Ozyme, as part of a unique fluorescence based method of rapidly detecting differential protein expression on single Western blots.

Using fluorescent Qdot technology, scientists at Ozyme have developed a simple protocol for differentially labelling proteins on Western blots known as FluoWest. They are then using a G:BOX Chemi system to generate images of FluoWest blots showing different proteins labelled with multiple fluorescent colours on one blot.

Olivier Varet, Product Manager at Ozyme explained: “Multiplex analysis of proteins can be used to determine up and down regulation of specific proteins, to diagnose a pre-disposition to a specific disease or to get an accurate quantification. However, many current methods of labelling Westerns are unsuitable for this application because they only produce one colour or a white chemiluminescent emission, which means that scientists have to generate a series of blots to compare protein expression. Using FluoWest, scientists can save time by analysing a number of different proteins from the same blot. This is especially useful when these proteins have the same molecular weight or are very close together.”

“We decided to use the G:BOX Chemi to analyse our FluoWest blots because it is one of the few CCD analysers that has the right combination of camera, epi-UV lighting and filters which are so essential for successfully generating high quality images of this type of blot,” continued Varet.

Laura Sullivan, Syngene’s Divisional Manager stated: “This is a very exciting and original application of our new G:BOX Chemi system, offering quick and simple analysis of multiple different proteins on single Western blots. For researchers wanting to increase the throughput of Western blot analysis to detect differential protein expression, using FluoWest with a G:BOX Chemi is an excellent choice.”
 

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FluoWestTM is a trademark of Ozyme

For Further Information Contact:
Jayne Arthur, Syngene, Beacon House, Nuffield Road, Cambridge, CB4 1TF, UK.
Tel: +44(0) 1223-727123 Fax +44 (0) 1223-727101
Email: jayne.arthur@syngene.com  Web site: www.syngene.com 

Olivier Varet, Ozyme, BP 268, 78053 St Quentin-en-Yvelines CEDEX, France
Tel: + 33 1 34 602424 Fax: + 33 1 34 609212
Email: ovaret@ozyme.fr  Web site: www.ozyme.fr

Editor Contact:
Dr Sue Pearson, PO Box 170, Hitchin, Hertfordshire SG5 3GD, UK.
Tel/Fax + 44(0) 1462-635327 Email: sue6.pearson@ntlworld.com

Note to Editors

About Syngene

Syngene is a world-leading supplier of integrated imaging solutions for analysis and documentation of gel-based information. Syngene’s systems are used by more than 10,000 research organisations and over 50,000 individual scientists worldwide and include many of the world’s top pharmaceutical companies and major research institutes.

Syngene, founded in 1997 is a division of the Cambridge based Synoptics Group. The Group’s other divisions, Syncroscopy and Synbiosis, specialise in digital imaging solutions for microscopy and microbial applications respectively. Synoptics currently employs more than 50 people in its UK and subsidiary operation in Frederick, USA.

About Ozyme

Ozyme is a leading French supplier of reagents and systems for molecular and cell biology research. The Company, established in 1984 has an excellent reputation for supplying high quality products which are being successfully used by over 15,000 scientists in many of France’s major universities, as well as pharma and biotech companies.