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

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

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