LexaGene demonstrates simple, inexpensive multiplex PCR chemistry with shorter lead times for its MiQLab System

LexaGene demonstrates simple, inexpensive multiplex PCR chemistry with shorter lead times for its MiQLab System

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LexaGene Holdings Inc. (TSX-V:LXG, OTCQB:LXXGF) has revealed that its MiQLab System is the first “point-of-need” instrument that can be configured to perform polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests using either “probe-based chemistry, or SYBR Green chemistry coupled with melt curve analysis.” In a statement, Dr Nathan Walsh, VP of Applications and Informatics at LexaGene, said: “Traditional real-time PCR uses expensive hydrolysis probes that have long lead times for manufacturing, whereas SYBR Green-based PCR uses inexpensive primers that have much shorter lead times.” “The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has caused massive delays in the manufacturing and delivery of the PCR probes used in diagnostic testing. In many cases, these delays were sometimes greater than 8 weeks, which created shortages that prevented the running of some testing platforms,” he added. READ: LexaGene says its MiQLab detects common bioreactor contaminant up to 300 times faster In contrast, LexaGene pointed out that the primers necessary for SYBR Green-based testing have continued to be “available within just a few days.” “For some applications, having short lead times for ordering new reagents is of tremendous value. Showing that the MiQLab can perform both types of PCR is important for establishing the flexibility of this technology for open-access customers,” said Walsh. In a small study, LexaGene demonstrated the MiQLab successfully detected both Escherichia coli and an internal amplification control using SYBR Green chemistry. These two targets were distinguished by melt curve analysis of their respective PCR products. “To our knowledge, all other automated point-of-need instruments are only configured to perform with one type of chemistry, but the MiQLab System can effectively handle both. For some applications, we can use inexpensive SYBR Green chemistry to get the same quality answer we would normally get using the more expensive probe-based chemistry,” said LexaGene founder CEO Dr Jack Regan.  “For these types of applications, we have every motivation to use the less expensive chemistry to reduce costs. At our current volume of manufacturing and the MiQLab’s typical reagent usage, changing from probe-based to SYBR Green-based chemistry would equate to an approximately 20% reduction in the cost to screen a sample for 27 different targets of interest,” Regan added. The company said it will continue to market its probe-based MiQLab Bacterial and AMR Test V2 test while leveraging this new test functionality with prospective open-access customers who do not have probe-based PCR tests. Contact the author Uttara Choudhury at uttara@proactiveinvestors.com Follow her on Twitter: @UttaraProactive

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