Arcturus Bioscience, Inc. Announces Launch of Paradise(R) Whole Transcript RT Reagent System; Enabling QRT-PCR Analysis Across The Entire Transcript Length Of Messenger RNA In Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded (FFPE) Samples

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Nov. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Arcturus today announced the launch of its Paradise(R) Whole Transcript Reagent System (Paradise WT-RT) for whole transcript profiling from FFPE samples using Quantitative Real-Time PCR (QRT-PCR). FFPE samples introduce unique challenges for gene expression profiling and gene expression quantitation, including potential chemical modification and fragmentation of RNA molecules. RNA from archival of FFPE samples add further challenges through increased RNA degradation over time. In addition to fragmentation, another big challenge posed by FFPE samples is the cross linking of RNA to other biomolecules in the tissue during the formalin fixation process that makes the RNA inaccessible to reverse transcription (RT). The Paradise WT-RT reagent system was developed specifically to overcome these obstacles by providing RNA isolation and reverse transcription reagents optimized for use with archived FFPE samples. As with other Paradise products, WT-RT requires the same small input and delivers unparalleled yield, fidelity and representation.

Now, for the first time, researchers can effectively design exon-spanning primers at varying distances from the 3'end of the transcript and study splice variants in archived or degraded samples using this new kit. In addition, the Paradise WT-RT system also allows the use of gene-specific primers for RT to suit specific assay requirements. This unique product joins a growing list of reagents developed by Arcturus.

About Arcturus Bioscience:

Arcturus is the industry leader in Laser Capture Microdissection (LCM) and reagent systems for microgenomics, the molecular analysis of microscopic tissue samples, with systems installed in leading cancer centers, research institutions and clinical research laboratories worldwide. These tools enable researchers to perform rapid cell-based analysis of disease progression utilizing the smallest and purest samples currently available. Arcturus is a private company headquartered in Mountain View, California. http://www.arctur.com

CONTACT: Antonius Schuh, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of ArcturusBioscience, +1-650-962-3020

Web site: http://www.arctur.com/