NanoString和BD Biosciences合作开发单细胞分析系统

 


NanoString和BD Biosciences合作开发单细胞分析系统

NanoString Technologies公司和BD生命科学在上周五宣布，欲合作开发一个单细胞分离和分析流程。

根据协议内容，两家公司将开发一个流程，利用NanoString的nCounter分析系统（包括nCounter Single Cell Assay）和BD的流式细胞分选产品（重点在新的BD FACSJazz细胞分选仪）。

据介绍，这一流程将实现单细胞基因表达的分析，应用在肿瘤学、免疫学和干细胞研究领域。此次合作将包括流程操作的开发，以及共同主办与单细胞流程相关的会议和在线研讨会。

nCounter分析系统运用一种全新的分子条形码技术，对基因表达进行直接的多重测定，且具有极高的灵敏度和精确度。NanoString的单细胞基因表达应用为研究人员发现细胞之间的基因表达谱差异提供了一种高度灵活的方法。这一应用可在单管内检测多达800个基因。nCounter分析系统无需使用酶，也不需要进行PCR扩增，可减少误差的产生，因而在表达谱分析领域非常有优势。

BD的FACSJazz系统于去年上市，是一款空气激发的流式细胞分选仪。通过一系列简化操作的设计，它不仅能提高高负荷实验室的工作效率，同时也能帮助经验有限的研究人员实现常规分选应用。它能够鉴定和分离单个或多个细胞，并收集在96孔和384孔板中，带来了快速的细胞分离、追踪和鉴定。

NanoString的总裁兼CEO Brad Gray表示：“让单细胞中可提取出的数据质量和数量最大化对单细胞生物学这一新兴领域而言至关重要。nCounter分析系统可分析整个基因通路，带来了高度精确和重复的数字输出，使其非常适合这一任务。nCounter分析系统和BD FACSJazz细胞分选系统共同为单细胞基因表达分析提供了一个强大而高效的流程。”

BD生命科学部门的总裁Alberto Mas补充道：“我们相信这一新的分选流程将为当今基因组学研究的快速进展带来补充，这些基因组学研究具有更高的样品完整性要求。”

NanoString公司成立于2003年，总部位于美国西雅图。nCounter分析系统于2008年上市，到2012年末已售出127台，并有220多篇文章发表。据介绍，nCounter的小巧低价版将在明年年初上市。NanoString在今年6月首次公开上市新股（IPO），以每股10美元发行540万股普通股。

New Workflow to Provide Scientists with Tools That Enable Single Cell Analysis for Oncology, Immunology and Stem Cell Research

NanoString Technologies and BD Biosciences Sign Collaboration Agreement to Develop Single Cell Isolation and Analysis Workflow

SEATTLE, WA and SAN JOSE, CA | September 5, 2013 – NanoString Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: NSTG), a provider of life science tools for translational research and molecular diagnostic products, and BD Biosciences, a segment of BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) (NYSE: BDX), a leading global medical technology company, today announced a collaboration agreement for the development of a single cell isolation and analysis workflow.

Under the agreement, the companies will jointly develop a workflow using the NanoString nCounter® Analysis System (including the nCounter Single Cell Assay) and the BD Flow Cytometry cell sorter product line, (emphasizing the new BD FACSJazz™ Cell Sorting System). The combined workflow will enable single cell gene expression analysis for research applications such as oncology, immunology and stem cell research. Collaboration activities will also include the development of materials documenting the workflow protocol, as well as co-hosting meetings and webinars to educate scientists about the single cell workflow.

“Maximizing both the quantity and quality of data that can be extracted from a single cell is critical to the emerging field of single cell biology. The nCounter Analysis System can analyze entire gene pathways and provides a highly precise and reproducible digital output, making it ideally suited to the task,” said Brad Gray, President and Chief Executive Officer, NanoString Technologies. “The nCounter Analysis System and the BD FACSJazz Cell Sorting System can together provide a powerful and efficient workflow for single cell gene expression analysis.”

“Our collaboration with NanoString Technologies furthers BD’s commitment to providing researchers advanced solutions for cell analysis and isolation,” said Alberto Mas, President, BD Biosciences. “We believe this new sorting workflow will complement the recent and very rapid advances in genomic studies that value the requirement for greater sample integrity for critical single cell analysis.”

NanoString Technologies’ nCounter Analysis System is a multi-application digital detection and counting system with a highly automated and simple workflow. The company’s Single Cell Gene Expression application provides researchers with a highly flexible and sensitive approach to discovering differences in cell-to-cell gene expression profiles. The application enables up to 800 genes to be detected in a single tube.

The BD FACSJazz Cell Sorting System is capable of identifying, characterizing and isolating single or multiple cells – from complex or extremely rare cell populations – and depositing them in 96 and 384 well plates to provide rapid cell isolation, tracking and identification throughout the process.

For more information about NanoString Technologies, the nCounter Analysis System and the nCounter Single Cell Assay, please visit www.nanostring.com.

For more information on the BD FACSJazz Cell Sorting System, please visit www.bdbiosciences.com/facsjazz.

About NanoString Technologies, Inc.
NanoString Technologies is a global provider of life science tools for translational research and molecular diagnostic products. The company’s nCounter® Analysis System, which has been employed in basic and translational research since it was first introduced in 2008 and cited in more than 220 peer-reviewed publications, has also now been applied to diagnostic use in the European Union. The system offers a cost-effective way to easily profile the expression of hundreds of genes, miRNAs, or copy number variations, simultaneously with high sensitivity and precision. The company’s technology enables a wide variety of basic research and translational medicine applications, including biomarker discovery and validation. The nCounter-based Prosigna™ Breast Cancer Prognostic Gene Signature Assay is the first in vitro diagnostic kit to be marketed through the company’s recently formed diagnostics business. The nCounter Analysis System is available for “Research Use Only” in North America. The Prosigna Assay has received a CE mark and is available for use by healthcare professionals in the European Union and other countries that recognize the CE Mark and in which Prosigna is registered; it is pending 510(k) clearance with the Food and Drug Administration and is not available for sale in the United States.

About BD
BD is a leading global medical technology company that develops, manufactures and sells medical devices, instrument systems and reagents. The Company is dedicated to improving people's health throughout the world. BD is focused on improving drug delivery, enhancing the quality and speed of diagnosing infectious diseases and cancers, and advancing research, discovery and production of new drugs and vaccines. BD's capabilities are instrumental in combating many of the world's most pressing diseases. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, BD employs nearly 30,000 associates in more than 50 countries throughout the world. The Company serves healthcare institutions, life science researchers, clinical laboratories, the pharmaceutical industry and the general public. For more information, please visit www.bd.com.