SwitchGear Genomics and New England Biolabs Develop New Multiplex Reporter Assay System

October 25th, 2011

SwitchGear and New England Biolabs have collaborated to launch the LightSwitch Dual Assay System that enables unique multiplexed reporter assay screens

MENLO PARK, Calif. and IPSWICH, Mass., Oct. 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — SwitchGear Genomics, Inc., a leading provider of products and services for studying regulatory elements in the human genome, announced that they have partnered with New England Biolabs, Inc. (NEB) to create a new dual reporter assay system that leverages the unique advantages of SwitchGear’s LightSwitch™ Luciferase Assay System and NEB’s BioLux® Cypridina Luciferase Assay technology.  Combined with a unique genome-wide promoter reporter collection, the LightSwitch Dual Assay System enables unique multiplexing capabilities in cell-based pathway analysis.  The system also facilitates studies using cell lines that are difficult to transfect and may require an internal control to normalize variations in transfection efficiency.  

The LightSwitch System is a comprehensive reporter assay platform that includes a genome-wide collection of assay-ready GoClone™ human promoter and 3′UTR luciferase reporters combined with the optimized LightSwitch Luciferase Assay reagents.  The LightSwitch System uses the newly developed RenSP luciferase reporter gene that has been optimized for maximum brightness and sensitivity.  The NEB BioLux Cypridina Luciferase Assay Kit contains the reagents necessary for assaying the activity of the Cypridina Luciferase reporter.

"We are excited to partner with NEB to expand our reporter assay products in new directions," said Nathan Trinklein, Ph.D., CEO and co-founder of SwitchGear Genomics. "By combining our unique technologies, we now offer our customers new capabilities in their reporter assay-based experiments."
"NEB is pleased to be working with SwitchGear to offer the research community increased capabilities and choice in their luciferase-based reporter gene assays," states Dr. Salvatore Russello, Associate Director of Business Development at NEB. "SwitchGear’s range of reporters offers researchers a new way in which to experience the advantages of the Cypridina Luciferase."

About SwitchGear Genomics, Inc.:  
SwitchGear Genomics, Inc. is a leading provider of innovative products for studying gene regulation in the human genome. The company has developed a comprehensive approach to generate new insights into gene regulatory networks, allowing researchers to efficiently screen entire pathways in living cells. SwitchGear was founded in March 2005 by Dr. Richard Myers, Dr. Nathan Trinklein and Dr. Shelley Force Aldred from Stanford University. For more information about SwitchGear, please visit the company’s website at www.switchgeargenomics.com

About NEB:  
Established in the mid 1970′s, New England Biolabs, Inc. is the industry leader in the discovery and production of enzymes for molecular biology applications and now offers the largest selection of recombinant and native enzymes for genomic research. NEB continues to expand its product offerings into areas related to PCR, gene expression, sample preparation for next generation sequencing, cellular analysis, epigenetics and RNA analysis. Additionally, NEB is focused on strengthening alliances that enable new technologies to reach key market sectors. New England Biolabs is a privately held company, headquartered in Ipswich, MA and has extensive worldwide distribution through a network of exclusive distributors, agents and six subsidiaries located in Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan and the UK. For more information about New England Biolabs visit www.neb.com.

SOURCE New England Biolabs