RNA Quality Assessment

Although typically overshadowed by DNA, RNA plays an increasingly central role in research. This biochemical structure translates DNA’s code into proteins. Moreover, recent work also shows that RNA can turn off the impact of specific genes through a process called RNA interference.

RNA shows scientists whether genes are on or off, which reveals how chemical pathways run processes in our body or how those processes get captured by disease. In addition, many scientists and pharmaceutical companies expect RNA interference to spawn an entirely new form of therapeutics.

Gene Expression

All experiments depend on the quality of the starting material. Our LabChip GX system, coupled with our microfluidics-based HT RNA assay kit, helps researchers track the quality of the RNA they use for gene expression experiments. The HT RNA kit provides all of the reagents to analyze an RNA sample, and the LabChip GX automates the pipetting and separation steps. Then, our LabChip GX software analyzes and presents the results in multiple formats, including a virtual gel mode and an electropherogram. In addition, this software provides data in a table that includes the concentration of the RNA in the sample and several metrics that reveal its quality, such as the peak heights for the 28S and 18S ribosomal subunits and several others measurements. 

One of the key benefits of the LabChip GX is the automation compatibility.  This feature allows the GX to be fully integrated into a workflow, providing detailed quality assessment and concentration for accurate processing and increased walk-away time. 
 
Instrument integration is a key strength of Caliper.  Whether it’s integrating a LabChip GX to a liquid handler or a Twister II to Roche’s LightCycler 480 RT-PCR or ABI's 7900HT RT-PCR machine, Caliper has the expertise to save you time and money.