Exiqon introduces on-line microRNA qPCR assay design software

Exiqon A/S (Copenhagen:EXQ), a leading supplier of high-value gene expression analysis products, today announced the extension of the miRCURY LNA microRNA PCR product line with the launch of a novel bioinformatics software for the design of custom qPCR assays for microRNA quantification.

The new on-line microRNA qPCR assay design software supports the need for assays designed against customers' own proprietary microRNAs. As next generation sequencing is gaining market acceptance, more customers need to verify microRNAs discovered by sequencing. Exiqon is now able to address this need by offering custom assays based on LNA (Locked Nucleic Acid) enabled real-time PCR.

"The new bioinformatics tool combine the power of the LNA detection technology and many years of experience at Exiqon in the design of LNA-enhanced assays," said Vice President Sales & Marketing Henrik M. Pfundheller and added: "An advanced algorithm evaluates in less than 2 minutes more than 3000 primer pair designs based on more than 60 different design criteria to find the best LNA primer pairs for optimal performance."

Exiqon today also launched new software for the design of LNA probes for mRNA detection by in situ hybridization. The new mRNA Detection probe software designs LNA probes for mRNA in situ hybridization. Using this approach,researchers can avoid working with the time-consuming and costly generation of ribo-probes. Based on mRNA target sequence, the advanced software will within 1 minute evaluate more than 5000 designs based on over 20 design criteria.

"In the recent years we have observed an increasing interest in usingLNA-enhanced probes for mRNA in situ hybridization. With the new software our customers can design LNA probes in a fast and easy way and add relevant tags for detection," said Henrik M. Pfundheller.

The real-time PCR design software is available at http://www.exiqon.com/miRNA-qpcr-designer and the mRNA Detection probe software is available at http://www.exiqon.com/rna-ish