NuGEN Expands Ovation(R) Systems for Global Gene Expression Profiling Using Affymetrix, Agilent, and Illumina Arrays, and qPCR.

One, Universal RNA Amplification Technology for any Sample Source -- FFPE, LCM, Whole Blood, Biopsy, and Sorted Cell Specimens

SAN CARLOS, Calif. -- NuGEN Technologies, Inc., a privately held company that develops and commercializes nucleic acid amplification and labeling systems announced today that its popular Ovation[R] Systems for amplification of RNA from small and degraded samples have been validated for use with both the Agilent and Illumina microarray platforms -- additions to previous validations for use with the Affymetrix GeneChip[R] platform and for direct qPCR analysis. This universal family of RNA amplification systems will empower life scientists to conduct sensitive, robust, gene expression profiling and signature discovery, regardless of sample type or microarray platform.

"Affymetrix GeneChip arrays have been the standard for gene expression analysis for years," observed Elizabeth Hutt, chief executive officer, NuGEN Technologies, Inc. "However, the installed base of Agilent and Illumina microarray platforms is growing rapidly. We responded to customer demand by broadening the capabilities of our Ovation RNA amplification and labeling family for use with any sample type and any microarray platform."

Hutt noted that being "platform agnostic" will give more researchers the flexibility to make biologically significant discoveries using a wide range of sample types such as whole blood, fresh tissue biopsies, laser-captured micro-dissected (LCM), sorted cells, and the hundreds of millions of archived formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue samples collected and banked through years of clinical studies and cancer research.

No matter the microarray platform, Ovation Systems enable detection of extremely low-abundance transcripts present in limited and degraded RNA for sensitive, global gene expression analysis. Just picograms of total RNA yields micrograms of amplified cDNA that can be fragmented and labeled for same-day hybridization to arrays. NuGEN's new FL-Ovation[TM] cDNA Fluorescent Module is used with Agilent DNA gene expression arrays; with Illumina whole genome expression arrays, the amplified cDNA can be labeled following a brief platform-specific labeling protocol.

"Our customers have been looking for a simple, sensitive, and highly reproducible solution for amplification and labeling," explained Hutt. "As their partner in the discovery process, we're determined to help researchers more quickly and easily find answers locked within precious clinical samples."

For pricing and availability of Ovation Systems, researchers may contact NuGEN Technologies at 888-654-6544 or [e-mail], or visit the NuGEN website at www.nugeninc.com.

About NuGEN

NuGEN Technologies, Inc. (www.nugeninc.com), based in San Carlos, CA, is focused on the development and commercialization of sensitive, rapid, and high-throughput amplification and labeling systems to enable the comprehensive analysis and discovery of biological mechanisms, cellular responses, and disease pathologies.

NuGEN and Ovation are registered trademarks of NuGEN Technologies, Inc. SPIA, Ribo-SPIA, WT-Ovation, FL-Ovation, and Imagine More From Less are trademarks or service marks of NuGEN Technologies, Inc. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.