Applied Biosystems TaqMan® Platform
Services Available
Technology
Quality Control
Sample Handling and Processing
Turn-around Time
Related Services
Catalog Numbers for TaqMan Services
Services Available
Asuragen offers cGLP/CLIA-registered services on all AB TaqMan products
- Gene Expression Assays for mRNA and SNPs (individual assays and TLDA format)
- miRNA Assays (individual assays and TLDA format: Human MicroRNA Panel v 1.0)
Technology
mRNA
TaqMan Gene Expression Assays and Custom TaqMan Gene Expression Assays are built on AB’s 5′ nuclease chemistry and consist of a FAM™ dye-labeled TaqMan MGB probe, and two unlabeled PCR primers. All components are QC tested by Applied Biosystems.
TaqMan Low Density Array (TLDA)
The TaqMan Low Density Array is a 384-well micro fluidic card, built on the TaqMan technology, that enables you to perform 384 simultaneous real-time PCR reactions without the need to use liquid-handling robots or multichannel pipettors to fill the card. This low- to medium- throughput micro fluidic card allows for 1-8 samples to be run in parallel against multiple TaqMan Gene Expression Assay targets that are pre-loaded into each of the wells on the card.
microRNA (miRNA)
The basis of the TaqMan MicroRNA Assays is a target-specific stem-loop structure, reverse-transcriptase primer. Its innovative design overcomes a fundamental problem in miRNA quantitation: the short length of mature miRNAs (~22 nt) prohibits conventional design of a random-primed RT step followed by a specific real-time assay. The stem-loop accomplishes two goals: 1) specificity for only the mature miRNA target, and 2) formation of a RT primer/mature miRNA-chimera, extending the 5′ end of the miRNA. The resulting longer RT amplicon presents a template amenable to standard real-time PCR, using TaqMan Assays. To ensure accurate results, every individual TaqMan MicroRNA Assay design has been functionally validated under laboratory conditions.
TaqMan miRNA Assays are not only specific for mature miRNAs, they can also successfully distinguish between highly homologous targets1.
TaqMan miRNA Assays are extremely sensitive— researchers need only 1–10 ng of purified total RNA or equivalent to reliably quantify their miRNAs of interest, not the several micrograms typically required for hybridization based methods.
Quality Control
During our processes, we monitor many QC checkpoints as recommended by the Applied Biosystems’ procedures. As much as possible, we utilize spike-in controls, in-process sample controls, and process or reagent batch controls. Should any sample-specific QC measure result in an “alert” or “fail” reading (such as a standard deviation of triplicate qRT-PCR readings exceeding defined limits), we will contact you to discuss available options. These rigorous procedures enable Asuragen to be the only service provider to offer a Data Quality Guarantee:
- If, for any reason, a qualified sample does not pass our process control specifications, we will re-run the sample at no additional charge.
Read more about our commitment to the best possible data quality, or read about our contributions to in-process controls and standardization.
Sample Handling and Processing
All samples are received and entered into the analysis queue under a controlled SOP to confirm package/sample integrity, appropriate shipping conditions (frozen samples/dry ice, as appropriate), and individual confirmation of sample identity against the shipping manifest and electronic sample submission form and instructions.
Turn-around Time
Most projects are completed in two weeks or less. If you have a critical time requirement, we can often meet your need for no additional charge. Read more about our commitment to prompt turn-around times.
Related Services
Data Analysis
Analytical assay validation and CLIA-based testing services also are available.
Catalog Numbers for TaqMan qRT-PCR Services
Gene Expression, mRNA, TLDA, and SNP
| CA0030 | AB TaqMan Service for mRNA, single assays, RT-PCR |
| CA0031 | AB TaqMan Service for SNPs, PCR only |
| CA0035 | TaqMan Assay Validation, mRNA |
| CA0046 | AB TaqMan LDA card for mRNA, SNPs, or microRNA, PCR only |
| CA0047 | RT for TaqMan mRNA card, random-primed |
miRNA
| CA0032 | QC, NanoDrop and TaqMan, Total RNA, for miRNA applications |
| CA0028 | AB TaqMan Service for miRNA, single assays, RT-PCR |
| CA0029 | AB TaqMan Service for miRNA, Panel 1.0 |
| CA0042 | AB TaqMan Service for miRNA, single assays, RT-PCR, absolute quantitation |
| CA0046* | AB TaqMan LDA card for mRNA, SNPs, or microRNA, PCR only |
| CA0048 | RT for TaqMan miRNA card, random-primed |
*CA0046 is the general catalog number corresponding to the AB TaqMan® LDA card for mRNA, SNPs, or microRNA, PCR only. At this time, the TLDA format is customizable for SNPs and mRNAs but for microRNAs is a fixed panel of human microRNAs. For microRNA analysis in the TLDA format, AB offers the TaqMan Array Human MicroRNA Panel v 1.0
1Chen C, Ridzon DA, Broomer AJ, Zhou Z, Lee DH, Nguyen JT, Barbisin M, Xu NL, Mahuvakar VR, Andersen MR, Lao KQ, Livak KJ, Guegler KJ (2005). Real-time quantification of microRNAs by stem-loop RT-PCR. Nucleic Acids Res 33(20):e179.