The David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research and the BioMicro Center at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Partner With Diagenode, Inc. for Automating Epigenetic Assays

DENVILLE, NJ and LIEGE, BELGIUM--(Marketwire - August 16, 2011) -

The Koch Institute and the BioMicro Center at MIT are the first partners in the Boston area to be able to fully automate ChIP and Methylation assays using Diagenode’s SX-8G IP-Star® automation system. The SX-8G IP-Star® system revolutionizes the workflow and the hands on time requirements of many common epigenetic assays from ChIP to Methylation. The platform will allow MIT researchers to increase efficiency and consistency of many epigenetic assays. Scientists at the MIT BioMicro Center conducted extensive tests of the SX-8G IP-Star® under normal lab working conditions. In addition to validating the SX-8G IP-Star®, MIT scientists used the system as a quality control for screening new antibodies for ChIP-Seq experiments.

Robert G. Urban, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Koch Institute at MIT, explains, “The addition of customizable epigenetic assay automation to support the growing experimental needs of our oncology research community represents an important new approach for us. The automation capability of the SX-8G IP-Star® system has greatly simplified the quality control of ChIP upfront of our ChIP-Seq experiments. Diagenode’s SX-8G IP-Star® offers us a highly flexible and open platform that will support the growing research interest in epigenetics across MIT.”

This system marks the first partnership between Diagenode and MIT researchers. Ignacio Mazon, Ph.D., SX-8G IP-Star® Field Application Scientist, noted, “We are honored to have some of the best cancer researchers in the world working on our platform. Diagenode believes the BioMicro Center’s expertise in ChIP-Seq will be able to take full advantage of the benefits of the SX-8G IP-Star®.”

About Diagenode
Diagenode is a multinational life science company that develops and commercializes innovative instruments and reagents for epigenetic research. Major product lines include SX-8G IP-Star® Automation, Bioruptor® Sonication, epigenetic targeted antibodies and kits. Founded in 2004 in Liège (Belgium), Diagenode has offices in Liège, Belgium and Denville, New Jersey.