Beckman Coulter, Xtrana to offer automated nucleic acid extraction system
Collaborative agreement to make DNA extraction kits available on Beckman Coulter's laboratory automation systems
Biopool International/Xtrana (Denver, CO) and Beckman Coulter Inc. (Fullerton, CA) have entered into a collaborative agreement to make DNA extraction kits available on Beckman Coulter's laboratory automation systems, the companies announced yesterday. The kits, available from Beckman Coulter this year, will process whole blood for life science research.
The five-year agreement gives Beckman Coulter non-exclusive, worldwide rights to distribute Xtrana's proprietary Xtra Amp nucleic acid extraction kits for use with the company's laboratory automation systems, including the Biomek brand laboratory automation workstations.
"One result of a growing emphasis on genomic research and SNP analysis is an increased demand for DNA purification," Jack Finney, vice president of Beckman Coulter's bioresearch division, explained in a company press release. "Our collaboration with Xtrana allows us to address this need with a powerful tool to extract DNA from whole blood on Beckman Coulter's laboratory automation systems."
The extraction kits incorporate Xtrana's proprietary Xtra Bind solid-phase nucleic acid extraction matrix, which provides for target amplification directly from nucleic acid bound to the solid phase surface. The Xtra Amp sample preparation protocol requires no vacuum filtration or centrifugation steps and provides higher throughput, helping customers to speed processing and reduce costs.
Beckman Coulter Inc. is a provider of instrument systems and complementary products that simplify and automate processes in life science and clinical laboratories.
Xtrana has developed proprietary technologies that offer new approaches to nucleic acid-based testing making it more practical, less complicated, and less expensive. In August 2000, Xtrana merged with Biopool International Inc., a company that develops, manufactures, and markets test kits to assess and diagnose disorders of blood coagulation, thrombotic risk factors, fibrinolysis, platelet function, and the vascular system.
For more information, contact John H. Wheeler of Biopool International/Xtrana at 303-474-2132 or Lori Rolleri of Beckman Coulter at 714-773-7655.
Source: Beckman Coulter Inc.
With contributions from Jim Pomager
Assistant Editor, Laboratory Network.com