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Asuragen is a biotechnology company based in Austin, Texas involved in diagnostics and therapeutics.
 | |
| Industry | Biotechnology |
|---|---|
| Founded | March 2006 |
| Headquarters | , United States |
| Divisions | Diagnostics, Translational Diagnostics |
| Website | http://www.asuragen.com/ |
In 1989 Dr. Matt Winkler left his position as an Associate Professor of Zoology at the University of Texas and formed a molecular biology reagent company called Ambion. Winkler then formed Asuragen from Ambion's Molecular Diagnostics and Pharmacogenomic Service Divisions following the March 2006 sale of the Research Products Division of Ambion Inc. to the Applied Biosystems Group (currently Life Technologies). [1] In December 2007, the microRNA therapeutics activities were moved into a new entity called Mirna Therapeutics. [2]
In October 2018, Asuragen announced the hiring of Tom Copa as senior vice president for commercial operations. [3] [4]
Asuragen's offerings include molecular diagnostic products providing identification of genetic abnormalities associated with oncology and genetic diseases. The company also provides RNA-related services and PCR kits designed for protein detection. [5] The company received $49 million in funding in 2006. [6]
In 2018, Asuragen was named one of the primary producers of PCR reagents by Apex Market Reports. [7]
A base pair (bp) is a unit consisting of two nucleobases bound to each other by hydrogen bonds. They form the building blocks of the DNA double helix and contribute to the folded structure of both DNA and RNA. Dictated by specific hydrogen bonding patterns, Watson–Crick base pairs allow the DNA helix to maintain a regular helical structure that is subtly dependent on its nucleotide sequence. The complementary nature of this based-paired structure provides a redundant copy of the genetic information encoded within each strand of DNA. The regular structure and data redundancy provided by the DNA double helix make DNA well suited to the storage of genetic information, while base-pairing between DNA and incoming nucleotides provides the mechanism through which DNA polymerase replicates DNA and RNA polymerase transcribes DNA into RNA. Many DNA-binding proteins can recognize specific base-pairing patterns that identify particular regulatory regions of genes.
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a method widely used in molecular biology to rapidly make millions to billions of copies of a specific DNA sample allowing scientists to take a very small sample of DNA and amplify it to a large enough amount to study in detail. PCR was invented in 1983 by Kary Mullis. It is fundamental to much of genetic testing including analysis of ancient samples of DNA and identification of infectious agents. Using PCR, copies of very small amounts of DNA sequences are exponentially amplified in a series or cycles of temperature changes. PCR is now a common and often indispensable technique used in medical laboratory and clinical laboratory research for a broad variety of applications including biomedical research and criminal forensics.
Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is a laboratory technique combining reverse transcription of RNA into DNA and amplification of specific DNA targets using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). It is primarily used to measure the amount of a specific RNA. This is achieved by monitoring the amplification reaction using fluorescence, a technique called real-time PCR or quantitative PCR (qPCR). Combined RT-PCR and qPCR are routinely used for analysis of gene expression and quantification of viral RNA in research and clinical settings.
In molecular biology, an amplicon is a piece of DNA or RNA that is the source and/or product of amplification or replication events. It can be formed artificially, using various methods including polymerase chain reactions (PCR) or ligase chain reactions (LCR), or naturally through gene duplication. In this context, amplification refers to the production of one or more copies of a genetic fragment or target sequence, specifically the amplicon. As it refers to the product of an amplification reaction, amplicon is used interchangeably with common laboratory terms, such as "PCR product."
Invitrogen is one of several brands under the Thermo Fisher Scientific corporation. The product line includes various subbrands of biotechnology products, such as machines and consumables for polymerase chain reaction, reverse transcription, cloning, culturing, stem cell production, cell therapy, regenerative medicine, immunotherapy, transfection, DNA/RNA purification, diagnostic tests, antibodies, and immunoassays.
QIAGEN is a provider of sample and assay technologies for molecular diagnostics, applied testing, academic and pharmaceutical research. Consolidated under the Dutch holding QIAGEN N.V., the company operates more than 35 offices in over 25 countries. QIAGEN's shares are listed at the NYSE and at the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in the Prime Standard. Thierry Bernard is the company's Interim Chief Executive Officer. The main operative headquarters are located in Hilden, Germany.
New England Biolabs (NEB) produces and supplies recombinant and native enzyme reagents for the life science research, as well as providing solutions supporting genome editing, synthetic biology and next-generation sequencing. NEB also provides free access to research tools such as REBASE, InBASE, and Polbase.
Fermentas was a biotechnology company specializing in the discovery and production of molecular biology products for life science research and diagnostics. Since 2010, Fermentas has been part of Thermo Fisher Scientific.
Roche Applied Science was a global business entity in the biotechnology sector that produces reagents and systems for life sciences research, with an emphasis on molecular genetics and cell biology research needs.
Applied Biosystems is one of the various brands under the Life Technologies brand of Thermo Fisher Scientific corporation. The brand is focused on integrated systems for genetic analysis, which include computerized machines and the consumables used within them.
LGC, Biosearch Technologies, is a biotechnology company headquartered in Hoddesdon, UK. Formerly known as LGC Genomics, which acquired Biosearch Technologies, Inc. - located in Petaluma, CA in 2015 LGC, Biosearch Technologies has also recently acquired Douglas Scientific, located in Alexandria MN (designs, manufactures, tests and provides service support. Continually expanding their genomics portfolio offerings, ranging from high quality PCR reagents, custom genotyping assays, genomic services, gene editing and NGS services, as well as workflow solutions for DNA sample preparation and downstream processing
The history of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has variously been described as a classic "Eureka!" moment, or as an example of cooperative teamwork between disparate researchers. Following is a list of events before, during, and after its development:
Rosetta Genomics Ltd. is a molecular diagnostics company with offices in Israel and the United States that uses micro-ribonucleic acid (microRNA) biomarkers to develop diagnostic tests designed to differentiate between various types of cancer. The company expects the first three tests based on its technology to be submitted for regulatory approval in 2008. The diagnostic tests will differentiate between squamous and non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); differentiate between adenocarcinoma and peritoneal mesothelioma; and seek to identify the origin of tumors in patients representing cancer of unknown primary (CUP). Using a single microRNA, the highly sensitive, highly specific test for squamous and non-squamous lung cancer has passed the prevalidation phase and has been submitted for approval to the New York State Department of Health Clinical Laboratory Evaluation Program in April 2008.
David Brown is an American scientist best known for his work in the field of microRNA (miRNA). He was the Director of Drug Discovery and in vivo Research at Mirna Therapeutics, now retired. He previously held the position of director of R&D at Asuragen, a therapeutic and diagnostics company focusing on RNA. He has worked on let-7 miRNA expression in normal lung tissue and in lung cancer cells.
Stan Rose is a Ph.D. biologist, seasoned biotechnology executive, and serial entrepreneur. Dr. Rose has spent over two decades working with leading scientists and clinicians to create substantial commercial value from inventions based on genome technology.
QIAGEN Silicon Valley is a company based in Redwood City, California, USA, to analyze complex biological systems. QIAGEN Silicon Valley's first product, IPA, was introduced in 2003, and is used to help researchers analyze omics data and model biological systems. The software has been cited in thousands of scientific molecular biology publications and is one of several tools for systems biology researchers and bioinformaticians in drug discovery and institutional research.
Eurogentec is an international biotechnology supplier, based in Belgium, that specializes in genomics and proteomics kits and reagents as well as cGMP biologics. The company was founded in 1985 as a spin-off from the University of Liège. Eurogentec's contract manufacturing organization facilities are licensed by the Belgian Ministry of Health to produce clinical trial and commercial biopharmaceutical material and also licensed by the US FDA to manufacture a commercial recombinant protein product for the US market. Eurogentec operates two manufacturing facilities in Belgium that provide custom biologics and oligonucleotide-based components for diagnostic and therapeutic/prophylactic applications.
Biomatrica is a United States-based biotechnology company that develops chemicals for ambient temperature preservation of biological materials for the purpose of expanding the availability and accuracy of medical diagnostics and research. Specifically, the company focuses on improving the stability of biological materials, such as DNA, RNA, proteins, cells from patient samples used in research, and diagnostic testing reagents. Company scientists have developed alternatives to existing preservation technologies, such as cold storage and lyophilization (freeze-drying), to prevent degradation of perishable biological materials. Biomatrica's technologies are used in applications such as pre-analytic sample collection, diagnostic assays, biobanking, forensics, and basic research.
Molecular diagnostics is a collection of techniques used to analyse biological markers in the genome and proteome—the individual's genetic code and how their cells express their genes as proteins—by applying molecular biology to medical testing. The technique is used to diagnose and monitor disease, detect risk, and decide which therapies will work best for individual patients.
Horizon Discovery Group plc ("Horizon"), is a gene editing company that designs and engineers genetically modified cells and then applies them in research and clinical applications that advance human health.