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Our aim is to bring you the latest in research and new techniques within the area that we work - namely High Resolution Melting and reagents for the study using molecular biology and proteomic techniques. We will also be keeping you updated on new products that we bring online to assist you in a day to day capacity.

14th December:

There are a multitude of options for post PCR clean up. These range from filter based methods, epitomized by Qiagen’s spin techniques, Enzyme methods used to destroy non dsDNA product and precipitation methods to name but a few. They all will have their supporters and detractors, there benefits and downsides. Here I want to take a look at the method that we support – Precipitation method with Clean IT.

There are a number of significant advantages with this method. It’s very simple – just one reagent, a spin and decanting of the supernatant, respin and removal of dregs, then re-hydrate with in house buffer. The resulting dsDNA is very clean and ready for down stream applications.

It is also very simple to do multiples in one go. There are less tubes flying around (both physically and metaphorically) and this makes life easier. Plus, as the same tube is used throughout, then there is reduced risk of the user confusing the tubes. Finally, as you add more clean ups to do, so the time to do them increase incrementally whereas with some methods the time increases considerably.

If you’d like to have a go and use your own samples with Clean-IT then please contact us to request a trial sample.


8th November:

This year the ASHG went back to Washington DC and attracted a record number of visitors. Of the posters that were presented during the course of the meeting it was noted that those using High Resolution Melting (HRM) as the technique for doing their work had doubled over the past year. Furthermore, the major instrument of choice was the Idaho Technology LightScanner. Please download a quick overview of the posters that were presented. If you would like to discuss your application needs, then please feel free to contact us. We look forward to hearing from you.

1st November:

Over the past month we've had a excellent response to Idaho's offer of a free trial sample of the LightScanner Mastermix. The samples will go out this month. For those that applied we will be in contact to provide you with delivery information.

1st October 2010:

FREE Mastermix from Idaho Technology Inc.

Having only recently highlighted Idaho's exceptional mastermix for High Resolution Melting in this blog, Idaho are putting their money where their proverbial mouth is. Idaho are offering a free 100 reaction vial of their LightScanner Mastermix. If you are performing HRM in your lab, and would like to try the gold standard dye in a ready to use format, simply follow the link below and the instructions for free mastermix sample on the Idaho site.

27th September 2010:

PCR Mastermixes -An overview 1 of 2

When it comes to making live easier, then in the realms of PCR there’s no easier way than using a mastermix. Most mastermixes comprise Taq, dNTPs, MgCl to make the reaction work. However, not all PCR mastermixes are created equal. We provide a series of PCR Mastermixes designed specially for HRM and those for routine & complex PCR that also work exceptionally well with LCGreen Plus Dye. Today we highlight the mastermixes of Idaho Technology specifically designed to assist, and provide superior performance, in your HRM applications.

LightScanner® Master Mixes

LightScanner master mixes provide a pre-optimized solution specifically designed to deliver superior PCR performance for Hi-Res Melting® and genotyping applications. All you need to add are your DNA, primers and dH20. The mastermix comes as a 2.5 times concentrated. This ensures that there is plenty of volume in a 10ul reaction to add your DNA and primers. Each kit from Idaho comes complete with 10mM MgCL2, reagent grade water and user guide.

User Benefits: These master mixes reduce time and save money with easy-to-use premixed formulas. They secure downstream success by directly going from PCR to melting curve analysis and eliminate the risk of contamination.

Idaho Technology offers three types of master mixes. See below for kit details.

LightScanner Mastermix: Pre-optimized for running High Resolution Melting assays. 2.5X concentration. Lock and load and ready to go. Robust repeatable amplification time after time. Exceptionally stable and capable of being freeze thawed on numerous occasions. These mastermixes can also be placed on a robotic system to automate PCR setup.

LightScanner High Sensitivity Mastermix: Designed for use with small amplicon genotyping assays where Tm variation is minimal between the different genotypes. The reagent has two sets of small dsDNA strands that are designed to melt at specific temperatures. These can then be used in conjunction with Idaho’s LightScanner Analysis software for HRM Genotyping to calibrate the Tm’s across the plate. This ensures exceptionally tight curves whereby even the smallest Tm changes can routinely and accurately be observed.

Genotyping Mastermix: This Genotyping Master Mix is a pre-optimized master mix specially designed for genotyping experiments not requiring an enzyme with exonuclease activity. This master mix is compatible with technologies like SimpleProbes, where the genotype is determined via melting temperature of the SimpleProbe. This product is intended for laboratory use only.

To learn more or to ask about samples the please phone or email us and we be happy to talk to you about your assays and how our reagents can help.

21st September 2010:

High Resolution Melting Analysis - Genotyping for population studies:

This is an interesting paper demonstrating once again the utility and extension of HRM as a tool for researchers using genetics to identify markers in animals for the purpose of population studies. The rapid and simple method provided an inexpensive, closed tube system to achieve the aims of the mapping study. Methods: The research group used LCGreen Plus dye and the HR1 for performing their High Resolution Melting analysis. Their conclusion that the “results indicate that HRMA is a powerful genotyping tool to study wild populations” provides yet more substance to the ongoing and developing utility of HRM

Please feel free to download this paper on High Resolution Melting.

If you have more questions about HRM or would like to discuss your needs then please contact us.