NuGEN and Advanced Liquid Logic to co-develop digital microfluidic cartridge technology
20 September 2011
NuGEN Technologies, Inc., a developer of sample preparation solutions for next generation sequencing (NGS) and genomic profiling applications, and Advanced Liquid Logic, the inventors of digital microfluidics technology, have announced an exclusive co-development and supply agreement under which Advanced Liquid Logic will provide instrumentation, software and digital microfluidic cartridge technology to NuGEN for commercialization.
NuGEN further discloses that it is collaborating with the Broad Institute and Advanced Liquid Logic on method development on the digital microfluidic cartridge.
Advanced Liquid Logic’s technology enables direct electrical manipulation of sub-microliter droplets without requiring pumps, valves or channels. The compact benchtop system consists of a touch-screen controlled instrument and a disposable cartridge which resembles a conventional well-plate. A single cartridge can be configured for multiple different sample preparation applications. Complex protocols involving 100s or 1000s of individual droplet operations are precisely performed in sub-microliter volumes reducing the amounts of sample and reagents required for genomic studies.
Single instruments accommodate lower throughput requirements effectively, while multiple units can be used in tandem with HTP robotics to further streamline larger workflow processes.
NuGEN will market this system under the brand name Mondrian™ SP, with an initial focus on NGS library preparation protocols for Illumina sequencing platforms. The first protocols are currently being developed collaboratively with the Broad Institute. Future development plans from NuGEN include Ovation®RNA-Seq and Encore™ Amplification Free NGS Library Systems, with availability expected by year end.
“NuGEN’s focus is to provide transformative technology that enables discovery and advances science,” said Elizabeth Hutt, CEO of NuGEN. “NuGEN has demonstrated unique capabilities in enabling researchers to work with very small amounts of starting materials. Introduction of this system is a natural extension of that mission, as the system allows for even smaller amounts of starting materials by working in volumes unachievable with any other existing technologies. The need for these cost effective tools and efficient workflows in submicroliter volumes transcends laboratories of all sizes. NGS is an extraordinary analytical tool in many respects, not the least of which is its ability to work with small amounts of DNA. As utilization of NGS technologies expands, scientists need access to more efficient tools and workflows. The introduction of the Mondrian™ SP System as the latest addition to our growing portfolio of innovative products and capabilities meets those needs and underscores our commitment to the scientific community.”
“We are excited to work with Advanced Liquid Logic and NuGEN to improve the performance of current sample prep processes, and develop entirely new genomic capabilities based on the digital microfluidics technology platform,” commented Robert Nicol, Ph.D., Director of Sequencing Operations and Technology Development at the Broad Institute.
“Advanced Liquid Logic and NuGEN have strong synergy in that both companies strive to enable science through development of cutting edge technologies,” said Richard West, President and CEO of Advanced Liquid Logic. “Increasing interest in employing NGS technology has created a need for sample preparation automation that is cost effective to acquire and operate. Digital microfluidics enables flexible automation of sample preparation workflows while dramatically reducing reagent volumes. NuGEN’s novel sample preparation offerings complement the system well, and we expect the Mondrian SP to gain broad adoption in the research laboratory environment.”
Source: Nugen