NextGen Sciences (Huntingdon, UK and Boston, US), a leading provider of automated solutions for protein research, today announced that it has been granted its third patent to protect the novel fluid dispensing system used extensively in the company’s newly launched technologies.

16th February 2004 – The proprietary systems were designed at NextGen Sciences to be robust, accurate and yet simple to manufacture. The success of the design has meant that this core technology building is now incorporated into the company’s products, the a2DETM and the expressionfactoryTM.

“For each technology we needed a cost-effective component solution, which could offer good chemical compatibility, application flexibility and could be serviced easily” Says Dr Schurov, Technical Director, NextGen Sciences. “The dispensing systems available commercially were either too expensive, inaccurate or unreliable, which led to the decision to develop our own system in-house.”

NextGen Sciences’ a2DE system is the first technology to fully automate 2D-gel electrophoresis. The fluid dispensers provide the smooth and precise flow rate required for automated gel casting, enabling second dimension separation of protein samples without user intervention. To improve protein separation and spot resolution, the a2DE pours both gradient and homogenous gels. The user may specify gel gradient profiles between 4-20% acrylamide.

The IP is also exploited by NextGen Sciences’ expressionfactory, which automates protein expression. Following expression, the system uses automated affinity chromatography to purify the expressed protein from the cell mixture. A bank of dispensers is employed to blend the buffers required for the creation of the affinity columns and to then purify the proteins.

The patent (patent number WO03067089), is the third to have been granted to NextGen Sciences since the company was founded in 2000.

“This patent further underlines NextGen Sciences’ strategy to develop and provide novel technologies for protein research”, says David Wigley, Director of Operations and Company co-founder. “Following the launch of the a2DE and expressionfactory in August last year, this patent adds to the momentum we have built in successfully commercialising our technologies. We are extremely pleased to strengthen our intellectual property portfolio, especially at a time when we are beginning to ship product.”

For further information please contact:
Lorna Watson (Marketing Manager)
t: +44 (0) 1480 420 974
e: lorna.watson@nextgensciences.com 

NextGen Sciences Ltd is a leading provider of integrated solutions for protein research. The company’s advanced technologies fully automate established, complex research techniques, improving results and accelerating discovery. With a team of skilled individuals comprising expert discovery scientists, software and design engineers, NextGen Sciences is uniquely positioned to rapidly progress technology solutions from design concept to market.

The company has a strong track record of launching first to market products and has achieved an international reputation for successfully commercialising technology. In August 2003 NextGen Sciences launched two unique technologies. The expressionfactoryTM, which fully automates protein expression from gene to protein, and the a2DETM, which separates proteins by 2-dimensional electrophoresis, without user supervision or intervention.