The Enchilada

GIA Expands Commercialization of OpsisDx Tests

Genetics Institute of America (GIA) received IRB approval to expand its Prostate Cancer Study (GH215) utilizing OpsisDx to include: Breast, Ovarian and Lung Cancers. OpsisDx will be used to develop accurate, non-invasive tests for the early detection of these 3 additional cancers.

GIA, empowered by OpsisDx, will be able to screen people for prostate, breast, ovarian, and / or lung cancers once these 4 studies are completed. These tests are expected to detect tumors earlier than liquid biopsies and thereby outperform GRAIL (valued at over $4 billion).

The Entopsis team will continue to support GIA’s efforts of bring impactful tools

PCRopsis Reagent RVD Launched!

Is viral RNA extraction necessary for amplifying genes from coronaviruses, like SARS-CoV-2?

NOT ANY MORE!

PCRopsis Reagent RVD allows you to perform direct RT-qPCR from nasopharyngeal / oropharyngeal samples transported in BD Universal Viral Transport media or Copan ESwab.

Simple Protocol:

  1. Mix sample 1:1 with Reagent RVD
  2. Heat to 95C for 10 minutes
  3. DONE… use ~5 uL into your RT-qPCR mix (can use 5 uL into a total 20 uL reaction)

Key Features:

  • Reagent RVD is an alternative to RNA extraction
  • Offers comparable RT-qPCR results to RNA extraction procedures for many applications in 10 MINUTES
  • Cost a fraction of traditional RNA extraction procedures, with fewer steps
  • Compatible

CDC & FDA Cautions Use of COVID-19 Transport Medias with Guanidine thiocyanate

“The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reminds laboratory staff to use transport media (the liquid that maintains a specimen sample while it is transported to a laboratory) that are compatible with the SARS-CoV-2 testing platforms and the processes used in their laboratory to process samples collected from people who are being tested for SARS-CoV-2. There is a risk of exposure to harmful cyanide gas, a by-product of a reaction between guanidine thiocyanate or similar chemicals and bleach (sodium hypochlorite), when certain transport media are used with an incompatible testing platform or laboratory process. Guanidine thiocyanate may be referred to