DNA Research Innovations launches GeneCatcher

A new cost-effective and scalable technology for the extraction of genomic DNA from large volume blood samples

Sittingbourne , UK . 27^th July, 2004….. DNA Research Innovations Ltd, an innovator in nucleic acid purification technologies, has launched the new range of GeneCatcher™ DNA extraction kits. The new cost-effective GeneCatcher™ Technology is based on a novel and proprietary extraction system that offers significant improvements over existing large volume blood extraction kits. It provides researchers with a scalable technology that can flexibly handle a wide range of sample volumes. The first kit in the new range will be the 3-10ml GeneCatcher™ Blood Extraction Kit.

Commenting on the new technology, Dr Tony Stevenson, Head of Product Development at DRI said, “Following the sequencing of the human genome and the publication of the

government’s White Paper on genetics, there is an increasing focus in clinical research on large scale genotyping and bio-banking projects. This has driven an urgent need for a cost-effective, user-friendly chemistry for the extraction of genomic DNA from large volumes of blood. GeneCatcher™ is the first technology to address these new requirements directly.”

Samples of blood for genomic DNA extraction can vary dramatically in volume, from as little as a few hundred microlitres up to as much as ten millilitres, and GeneCatcher™ can be flexibly applied to a full range of sample volumes. Additionally, it is 100% compatible with simple automation and the process can be carried out in a single reaction tube. It is cost-effective and reliably extracts high levels of pure DNA at a high concentration in a small volume of buffer, making it ideal for large scale and high throughput applications.

GeneCatcher™ is also capable of dealing with the most challenging of samples. Blood samples are stored in the presence of a variety of anticoagulants and may be old and heavily degraded from repeated freezing and thawing. GeneCatcher™ is not reliant on intact cells and does not require centrifugation for extraction, making it ideal for degraded and archived samples. It reliably produces high quality purified DNA, with anticoagulants, such as EDTA, heparin and ACT, having no effect on its extraction efficiency.

"Large scale genotyping or bio-banking projects often require extraction of DNA from many blood samples. These samples can vary dramatically in quality and in some cases little or no DNA can be extracted using conventional DNA purification methods. I found the GeneCatcher™ Technology from DRI to be easy to use and offer optimal yields for downstream work, even from poorer quality blood samples. I would highly recommend this kit to other scientists," said Adrian Edwards from the DNA Extraction Core Laboratory at the Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, Oxford .

In-line with DRI’s commitment to develop novel, high performance nucleic acid purification systems that meet their customer’s needs, this first GeneCatcher™ kit will soon be followed by a range of other flexible kits and automated protocols to meet the needs of the modern geneticist.

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 has two proprietary technologies for nucleic acid purification, called ChargeSwitch^® Technology (CST^®) and GeneCatcher™ Technology (GCT™).

GCT™ utilizes a small number of magnetic beads to capture genomic DNA from whole blood, without the need for centrifugation. It is fully scalable and can flexibly deal with a range of different sample types and volumes. It is easy to automate on standard liquid handling workstations, offering researchers a cost-effective and reliable method for extracting high quality, high concentration DNA. A fully automated protocol is due to be launched in September.

CST^® uses a novel switchable surface charge to reliably extract pure DNA and RNA from a range of sample types. By avoiding the use of potential contaminating reagents, such as chaotropic agents and alcohols, it produces very clean DNA with a reduced risk of reaction inhibition in sensitive downstream applications. More than 20 different kits are available in the CST^® range.

DRI is an independent venture capital funded company based in Sittingbourne , Kent ,

. For more information, please visit www.dri-dna.com.