-Dr. Nicholas Price Joins ZyGEM from Invitrogen to Oversee U.S. Product Development and Technical Support Functions-
-Application Notes Include Study Showing Ability of ZyGEM’s prepGEM(TM) to Extract Microbial DNA from 17th Century Greenland Ice-
SOLANA BEACH, Calif., and HAMILTON, New Zealand, Aug. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- ZyGEM Corp. Ltd., a provider of novel enabling enzymatic tools for life sciences applications, today announced the availability of a selection of targeted application notes, customer posters and other technical resources designed to provide enhanced support to users of its prepGEM(TM), forensicGEM(TM) and livestockGEM(TM) DNA extraction kits. The company also announced that Nicholas J. Price, Ph.D., has been appointed as ZyGEM’s U.S.-based technical director.
The application notes, supplemented by a variety of scientific and technical documents including validation tests and other in-house research, technical publications evaluating ZyGEM’s reagent kits and samples of scientific studies conducted using the kits, are intended to help end-users take full advantage of the distinctive features of ZyGEM’s technology. For example, among the studies included in the application notes is one that showcases the ability of prepGEM(TM) to extract microbial DNA from Greenland ice dating back to 1660. The application notes can be accessed at http://zygem.com/Products/Products-Pubs.html.
ZyGEM’s family of kits use a proprietary thermophilic enzyme to extract DNA and other nucleic acids from samples using a single closed-tube system, which simplifies laboratory workflow, minimises error and reduces the risk of contamination while also reducing costs. The kits are easy to automate using off-the-shelf robotic systems and have been specially optimised for DNA extraction from a variety of sample types in basic research, forensics, clinical diagnostics and agriculture.
As U.S. technical director, Dr. Price will develop additional technical resources for partners, developers and end-users, while assisting and overseeing product development activities. He noted, “These enhanced scientific and technical resources are intended to provide additional support to our diverse and growing population of partners and end-users. The data and analyses now available on our website should facilitate researchers’ ability to tailor kits to their specific needs and also to benefit from the experience of other end-users. We will continue to update and expand this resource going forward.”
Prior to joining ZyGEM, Dr. Price served as R&D program manager and scientist at Invitrogen Corp., where he led multiple development projects focused on nucleic acid and genomic applications for diagnostics and other life sciences uses, including novel technologies for isolation and purification of DNA and RNA and improved methods for nucleic acid delivery. His work resulted in the development and launch of a number of novel research kits and other products. Dr. Price holds a Ph.D. in biology from Universidade Nova de Lisboa in Portugal, an M.S. in biotechnology from the University of Kent and a B.S. in applied chemistry from Nottingham and Trent University, both in the U.K.
About ZyGEM’s DNA Extraction Kits
prepGEM(TM) kits have been formulated for high-throughput DNA extraction from animal tissue samples for life science research, animal testing and traceability, selective breeding and other animal health and agricultural applications. prepGEM(TM) kits enable high-throughput DNA extraction of 384 samples in less than 30 minutes. They contain reagents that have been optimised for downstream PCR-based applications including quantitative PCR, genotyping using STRs or SNPs, RFLP analyses, etc. They are proven on a range of animal samples including blood, micro-biopsies (ear tags), meat, rat tails, fish, fish tails and insects.
forensicGEM(TM) kits have been formulated for high-throughput DNA extraction from crime scene and other sample sources, providing PCR-ready, forensic grade DNA for 96 samples in just 20 minutes. The one-tube forensicGEM(TM) process is simple to use and easy to automate with current robotic platforms, making it ideal for database testing as well as case work samples. All reagents are rigorously quality controlled to test for efficacy and for the absence of human DNA. forensicGEM(TM) kits are validated for forensic analysis.
livestockGEM(TM) kits have been formulated for high-throughput DNA extraction from a range of animal sample types without the need for further purification, including ear punch microbiopsies, saliva and hair, as well as from blood and saliva DNA storage cards. The kits provide PCR-ready DNA for 96 samples in just 20 minutes with no hands-on attention required. livestockGEM(TM) kits are easy to use and automate for high-throughput applications using off-the-shelf robotic systems. With livestockGEM(TM) kits, both experienced and novice staff can prepare DNA samples up to three times faster than with existing products.
For more information on ZyGEM’s families of DNA extraction kits, visit http://zygem.com/Products/Products-Ovw.html or email info@zygem.com
About ZyGEM
ZyGEM Corporation Limited is a rapidly growing biotechnology company with a range of innovative enzyme-based products and technologies based on the company’s exclusive collection of microorganisms from extreme environments. ZyGEM’s technology has significant competitive advantages over existing methods and has potential applications in a number of sizeable global markets. ZyGEM currently produces DNA extraction and detection products, molecular biology enzymes and individual enzymes and diagnostics, serving life sciences customers in basic research, forensics, clinical diagnostics and agriculture. ZyGEM has facilities in New Zealand and the U.S.A. For more information, visit www.ZyGEM.com.
CONTACT: Corporate: Paul Kinnon, President and CEO of ZyGEM,
+1-858-720-8333; Media: Barbara Lindheim, GendeLLindheim BioCom Partners,
+1-212-918-4650
Web site: http://www.ZyGEM.com/
http://zygem.com/Products/Products-Ovw.html/
http://zygem.com/Products/Products-Pubs.html/
