MADISON, WI & Cape Town, RSA - Gentel Biosciences, Inc., a protein microarray life sciences company, announces it has placed its first APiX™ Colorimetric Protein Array Reader at the Centre for Proteomic and Genomic Research (CPGR) in Cape Town, South Africa.
The Gentel reader integrates a novel colorimetric detection technology with a newly developed 96-well plate microarray format. Gentel’s novel transparent nitrocellulose coated plastic substrate serves as the surface chemistry for the instrument.
“Because of its simplicity, the Gentel colorimetric system has the potential to overcome the relatively high cost concerns of existing microarray applications. This creates an opportunity for developing affordable while at the same time reliable assays, something that is of critical importance in emerging markets such as South Africa” said Dr. Reinhard Hiller, Managing Director of the CPGR.
Gentel’s APiX colorimetric detection technology is a patented method in which gold particle-enhanced silver crystal deposition is used for detection and quantification on microarrays. Because silver deposition is highly localized, each microplate well can contain as many as several hundred protein spots.
“Gold particle-enhanced silver crystal deposition enables multiplexed sandwich immunoassays with superior sensitivity and reproducibility compared to fluorescence-based microarrays and ELISA” said Bryce Nelson, Gentel’s VP of Research and Development. “We believe a 96-well colorimetric system is well-positioned for customers seeking to migrate from multiple ELISAs to multiplexed assays.”
The CPGR was created with a vision of establishing a modern, world-class, highthroughput biological research facility that serves the needs of the life science and biotech communities in South Africa by providing state-of-the-art analytical services, technical expertise, project support and collaborative research capabilities in the genomics and proteomics sectors.
“Gentel’s new platform promises to combine the benefits of existing high-throughput single-plex diagnostic systems, novel array formats, and low-cost tests based on lateral flow assays,” added Dr. Hiller. “Using the system, we intend to generate proof-of-concept data for a number of potential diagnostic applications in key disease areas such as TB, HIV/AIDS, malaria, asthma/COPD and cancer, amongst others.”
ABOUT CPGR
The Centre for Proteomic & Genomic Research (CPGR) is an integrated core technology facility, founded in South Africa in 2006 as a not-for-profit organization through a grant provided by the Department of Science & Technology (DST) by way of its vehicles the Cape Biotech Trust (CBT) and PlantBio (PB). Visit www.cpgr.org.za for more information.
