DRI launches high sensitivity RNA purification products based on ChargeSwitch technology

Sittingbourne, UK. 26^th October 2004… DNA Research Innovations, Ltd. (DRI), an innovator in nucleic acid purification technologies, has announced the launch of its first products for RNA purification based on its highly sensitive ChargeSwitch^® Technology. These products - CST^® RNA Purification Kit (Cells) and  CST^® RNA Purification Kit (Micro-Tissue) - have demonstrated a 10 fold increase in sensitivity over silica methodologies and are highly suited for cutting edge research into small molecular weight and rare transcript analysis.

Analysis of micro tissue and single cell samples is a rapidly growing market driven by fields such as cancer research and the emergence of new areas of interest such as interference RNA (RNAi).

In customer testing, the new ChargeSwitch^® RNA Purification kits were found to purify high quantities of total RNA and to capture small molecular weight, rare and long transcript more effectively than leading silica based methods. In common with other ChargeSwitch^® methodologies, these kits avoid the use of enzyme inhibitors such as ethanol, organic solvents or chaotropic salts to provide a measurable improvement in downstream application performance.

“ChargeSwitch^® Technology provides a major improvement in the field of RNA transcript purification” said Jim Robinson from St. James University Hospital in Leeds, UK, “The protocols are quicker, more consistent and approximately 10 times more sensitive than other purification strategies.”

“The launch of our first ChargeSwitch^® kits for RNA purification is another major milestone for DNA Research Innovations”, added Simon Douglas, CEO of DRI, “These products are very well positioned to take advantage of the new interest in the field of micro sample analysis and emerging fields such as RNAi.”

The CST^® RNA Purification Kit (Micro-Tissue) and CST^® RNA Purification Kit (Cells) both come in 50 preparation sets.  More information is available from www.dri-dna.co.uk

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Notes for editors:

DNA Research Innovations Ltd. (DRI) is dedicated to the innovative development of novel, high performance nucleic acid extraction technologies that meet the evolving and exacting needs of its customers. The company’s proprietary ChargeSwitch^® Technology (CST^®) uses a novel switchable surface charge that allows reliable extraction of pure DNA and RNA from a range of sample types. By avoiding the use of potential contaminating reagents, such as ethanol, concentrated chaotropic salts and organic solvents, it purifies highly pure nucleic acids with a reduced risk of reaction inhibition in sensitive downstream applications.

DNA Research Innovations is an independent venture capital funded company based in Sittingbourne, Kent, UK. For more information, please visit www.dri-dna.co.uk.

Media Enquiries:

Rebecca Todd

Northbank Communications

The Media Village

131-151 Great Titchfield Street

London W1W 5BB, UK

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7886 8150

Fax: +44 (0) 20 7886 8151

Email: r.todd@northbankcommunications.com

At the Company:

Duncan Borthwick

DNA Research Innovations Ltd

940 Cornforth Drive

Kent Science Park

Kent ME9 8PX, UK

Tel: +44 (0) 1795 411 100

Fax: +44 (0) 1795 411 101

Email: commercial@dri-dna.co.uk

For Sales of ChargeSwitch^® kits:

Vikki Taylor

DNA Research Innovations Ltd.

940 Cornforth Drive

Kent Science Park

Kent ME9 8PX

UK

Tel: +44 (0) 1795 411 100

Fax: +44 (0) 1795 411 101

Email: commercial@dri-dna.co.uk