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How do I get started?

I’m interested in the qNPA ArrayPlate, what format does it come in?

HTG currently offers the ArrayPlate in two different formats:

Our qFixed Arrays each contain 16 genes focused on a particular functional area. These assays come in a ready to run, preconfigured format. Only a simple ‘tuning’ step is required prior to running the assay. This tuning step can be performed as part experiment is samples are small and precious.

The qCustom system allows researchers to develop their own custom arrays with the gene content of their choice. These arrays are configured and QC’d by our in-house development team to ensure the assay does not contain cross-reactive array elements. 

Either ArrayPlate product can be used in your lab (with our imagers) or run by our skilled team at our facility in Tucson, Arizona.

I want to design a qCustom Array. What does HTG need from me?

To begin the design process for your qCustom array, our scientists will need three items:

  • A gene list of up to 16 genes that you want represented on your array.
  • A lysate sample representing the ‘uninduced’ or basal state of your gene expression targets
  • A lysate represented the expected ‘full induction’ of your specified genes

The lysates are used to tune the qCustom array for maximum data coverage for your specific sample. Our experienced scientists will help you determine the appropriate conditions for creating these lysates. Once the array is tuned, it is ready to be used in either your lab or in our service facility.

I am interested in using a qFixed™ Array. What do I need?

To used our qFixed Arrays in your own lab, you will need to have a high resolution luminescence imager; HTG offers two imagers for this purpose. Other imagers may be suitable, please contact us for more information.

Other equipment that is strongly suggested includes robotic liquid handling systems and plate washers. Our scientists have found that, although the assay can be performed with standard or multi-channel pipettes, the reproducibility of the assay improves significantly when automation is used.

What do I need to do to use HTG’s services?

Most of our service customers prepare their cells or other samples (such as tissue or FFPE preparations) in their own facilities using their own specifications. When these treatments are finished, they add qNPA Lysis Buffer (supplied by HTG) to the wells to kill the cells and release the RNA. These lysates are frozen and shipped to HTG on dry ice for immediate processing. We typically deliver the final data set from plates we receive in less than 10 business days.

How much do HTG’s products and services cost?

Please contact your regional sales representative for pricing information. Due to the nature of their projects, many of our customers receive volume discounts. We want to be able to provide you with an accurate estimate of your project costs.

Our pilot studies are an ideal way to familiarize yourself with the power and benefits of the ArrayPlate Technology. Contact us for more information regarding setting a pilot study up for you.

 

Is the ArrayPlate™ platform right for my research?

Any researcher who is looking to analyze gene expression in a large number of samples for specific gene targets should benefit from using the qNPA ArrayPlate Platform. The ArrayPlate may be especially useful in your research if you are:

  • Using large amounts of multiplexed qRT-PCR
  • Performing TaqMan® or similar experiments on multiple genes
  • Analyzing many samples with microarrays

The ArrayPlate™ platform is designed to be a high throughput assay performed with robotic liquid handling equipment. It is ideally suited to analyze gene targets identified and validated using lower throughput systems. We have found that most of our customers:

  • Have used microarrays to identify their initial genes of interest
  • Examine a relatively small number of genes to analyze per follow-up sample
  • Intend to examine at least 500 samples per experiment

They have turned to using the ArrayPlate Platform due to its fast and simple protocol, low cost per data point, and highly reliable data. Customers with other research needs may benefit from our ArrayPlate or qNPA technologies as well. Please contact your regional account representative to find out if HTG has a solution for your research goals.

 

Sample Types used with the qNPA™ ArrayPlate™ Assay

The qNPA™ ArrayPlate™ Assay has been used with a wide variety of sample types, including cultured cell lines, fresh tissue pieces, and FFPE archives. For questions regarding your sample type, please contact us for more information.

Immortalized Cell Lines

Extracted RNA 

Primary Cell Lines and Tissues

adrenals                                                          lung
bladder                                                            lymphocytes
blood                                                               muscle
brain                                                                ovaries
breast                                                              pancreas
colon                                                               prostate
ear punches                                                    spleen
heart                                                                testes
kidney                                                             umbilical cord
liver

Plants

Maize
Rice  

Whole Organisms

Arabidopsis
Drosophila
Gram negative bacteria
Gram positive bacteria

 

Why qNPA™ ?

Quantitative Nuclease Protection Assay (qNPA™)

qNPA Technology offers several important advantages over other gene expression analysis techniques:

No RNA extraction: HTG has successfully run samples from cultured cell lines, primary cells, tissue pieces, FFPE, plants, and bacteria without RNA extraction (For a complete list, click here). Not only does this remove a time-consuming and costly bottleneck in high throughput analysis, but it also reduces a potential source of technical sample variation.

No cDNA synthesis: Traditional methods of gene expression analysis require a reverse transcription of the targeted RNA. qNPA-based analysis does not involve this step, thereby removing another source of potential sample variation.

No RNA amplification or labeling: Coupled with cDNA synthesis, many analysis platforms require a time-consuming RNA amplification and biotin labeling step, adding even more cost and potential sample variation. qNPA uses standard DNA oligonucleotides and S1 nuclease, greatly simplifying the experimental process.

True 16 gene multiplexing: The qNPA ArrayPlate platform will simultaneously measure up to 16 genes in the same sample well. Other multiplexing platforms, such as qPCR, only reliably multiplex 4-6 genes per well, and require extensive development and verification. 

Consistent and reproducible data: Well-to-well CV’s are typically ~10%, far superior to qPCR or microarray data. Data is reliable and consistent, allowing different wells and plates to be compared with confidence and without complex normalization schemes.

Differential expression resolution:qNPA can regularly and accurately detect gene expression changes of as little as 20% (or 1.2 fold) in a plate that has a CV of 10%. qPCR provides reliable resolution of only 50% (or 1.5 fold), which can miss biologically significant changes.