|
microRNAs regulate protein expression and are important in disease diagnosis and prognosis– One of the most exciting developments in life sciences over the past decade is the realization that regions of the genome previously thought to be non-functional (sometimes called junk DNA) play a key role in regulating gene expression. In particular, microRNAs, short non-coding RNAs present in all living organisms, have been shown to regulate the expression of at least half of all human genes. These single-stranded RNAs exert their regulatory action by binding messenger RNAs and preventing their translation into proteins. |
. |
 |
Firefly BioWorks' hydrogel particles are the ideal assay substrate -- Hydrogel particles made by Firefly BioWorks' patented Optical Liquid Stamping are hydrophilic, bio-inert, and flexible (literally!). This remarkable material is unlike any other substrate on the biomarker detection market. The hydrogel particles are porous, which allows target molecules to diffuse and bind in a unique nanoscale three-dimensional scaffold. This both maximizes signal and widens the assay's dynamic range. In addition to more signal, you can expect decreased background with hydrogel particles because the porosity is precisely tuned to exclude certain molecular species based on size. In short, FirePlex® miRSelect enables you to gather a lot more of the signal you seek. |
Our microRNA detection method shows single-nucleotide specificity and no sequence bias -- FirePlex® miRSelect uses a unique post-hybridization ligation-based scheme to fluorescently label bound microRNA targets. This process not only simplifies the protocol, but eliminates sequence bias seen in PCR-based approaches. The entire microRNA detection process is just three steps: (1) Hybridize, (2) Label, and (3) Report. The Hybridize step binds your microRNA targets to the target-specific probes attached to FirePlex® hydrogel particles. The Label step ligates a universal biotinylated adapter to the captured targets. A fluorescent reporter binds to the universal adapter during the Report step. This reporter molecule is ultimately used for microRNA detection in a flow cytometer. |
. . |
FirePlex® hydrogel particles can be detected by standard flow cytometers -- FirePlex® miRSelect readily expands the capabilities of almost any cytometer. Currently, we are able to support select instruments from BD, Millipore, and Life Technologies. You can read a cross-cytometer comparison and learn more about our expanding capabilities here.
The FirePlex® advantage -- Firefly BioWorks’ technology can rapidly profile up to 25 microRNAs over large numbers of samples in a variety of biological samples. Most users prefer purified RNA, but FirePlex® miRSelect has also been demonstrated in cell lysate and tissue digest. Read more about FirePlex® performance here, and discover how FirePlex® compares to competing technologies.
