Rubicon Genomics Partners With Diagenode To Increase Efficiency And Speed Of ChIP Sample Preparation For Next Generation Sequencing

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Nov. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Rubicon Genomics, Inc. today announced that it has partnered with Diagenode SA to integrate Rubicon's ThruPLEX™ technology into Diagenode's epigenetics platforms to increase the efficiency and quality of DNA sample preparation for chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) applications.  The new agreement allows Diagenode to incorporate the Rubicon ThruPLEX-FD technology into its new MicroPLEX Library Preparation Kit for ChIP-seq studies requiring very small amounts of sample.

Rubicon is a leading provider of sample-specific pre-analytical processes to improve the performance and capabilities of DNA analytical platforms.  Its ThruPLEX-FD NGS Prep kits for synthesis and amplification of ChIP DNA for next generation sequencing (NGS) use a one-tube, three-step process that is efficient, fast, and produces high quality DNA from small samples. 

Diagenode's products increase the efficiency and speed of the process used to precipitate and recover DNA for ChIP applications from very small amounts of chromatin.  The combination of these two patented technologies will decrease the time and labor needed for ChIP-sequencing by almost 10 hours and provide researchers with high quality ChIP-seq and ChIP-chip results from small samples, reducing the number of cells needed to conduct ChIP analyses by a minimum of 100-fold.

"This partnership with Diagenode extends the reach of our proprietary technology.  Diagenode is a leader in the ChIP market and our ThruPLEX technology is ideal for use in ChIP studies.  This partnership is an important example of our collaboration strategy that focuses on combining complementary technologies to offer complete solutions to the research community," noted James Koziarz, CEO of Rubicon Genomics.  Rubicon intends to complete additional non-exclusive distribution agreements with leaders in other segments of the growing market for DNA and RNA analysis.

Diagenode has developed and validated reagents and equipment that reduce the number of cells needed to conduct analyses by 10 to 100-fold.  This allows researchers to grow or harvest fewer cells, decreasing time and expense, and also enables studies of small subpopulations of cells.  Combining these properties with the advantages of ThruPLEX-FD increases the quality of the sequencing results and is expected to enhance the value of ChIP as a tool for epigenomic research.

"We are pleased to add the Rubicon ThruPLEX technology to Diagenode's high quality product line for ChIP studies," said Didier Allaer, CEO and Founder of Diagenode.  "It's fast, easy-to-use and sensitive, producing high quality results from challenging samples.  We will also offer the MicroPLEX and True MicroChIP kits to our customers in conjunction with our new SX-8G IP-Star^® Automated System, the first comprehensive system to automate ChIP and DNA methylation assays."

Rubicon's ThruPLEX technology incorporates a streamlined one-tube, three-step process without intermediate purifications, transfers, columns or gels.  The reduced steps and material transfers decrease the likelihood of experimental variability, bias and contamination.  ThruPLEX technology is designed and validated for use with samples as small as 50 picograms of human DNA and can be used in plasma, FFPE, cDNA, ChIP and population studies.  The kits are currently available for sequencing on Illumina^® HiSeq^®, MiSeq^® and Genome Analyzer instruments.  The technology is also being developed for additional formats and platforms.

Both Rubicon and Diagenode will be exhibiting at the Annual Meeting of the American Society for Human Genetics to be held in San Francisco, CA, November 6-10, 2012. To learn more about Rubicon's ThruPLEX and its other sample-specific pre-analytical technologies, visit Booth #803, and to learn more about Diagenode's technologies, visit Booth #406. 

About Diagenode
Diagenode SA is a multinational life science company that develops and commercializes innovative instruments and reagents for epigenetic research. Major product lines include the SX-8G IP-Star^® Automation System, Bioruptor^® Sonicators, epigenetic targeted ChIP-seq grade antibodies, and kits for Chromatin Immunoprecipitation and DNA methylation studies. Founded in 2004 in Liege (Belgium), Diagenode has offices in Liege, Belgium and Denville, New Jersey.  For more information, visit www.diagenode.com.

About Rubicon Genomics
Rubicon Genomics, Inc. is a leader in the development and commercialization of sample-specific pre-analytical processes to improve the performance and capabilities of DNA and RNA analytical platforms for research and clinical testing.  The company's core competency is the creation of more efficient molecular biology tools for genetic, epigenetic and expression analysis of difficult clinical samples to facilitate gene-based research, drug development, diagnostics and forensics.  Privately held Rubicon Genomics is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  For more information, visit www.rubicongenomics.com.

SOURCE Rubicon Genomics, Inc.