Trevigen Announces the First Standardized Comet Assay Electrophoresis System (ES) for Direct Detection of DNA Damage

Gaithersburg, MD, July 13, 2008 --(PR.com)-- The comet assay is the only direct method for the detection of DNA damage in cells. It is used in cancer research, in genotoxicity studies on environmental mutagens, and for screening compounds for cancer therapeutics. Based on single cell gel electrophoresis in a controlled pH environment, the assay allows the integrity of stained nuclear DNA to be examined and measured.

Until now, a lack of standardization in electrophoresis equipment, control cells, comet slides and comet reagents created inconsistencies in data generated run-to-run, user-to-user, and lab-to-lab.

Trevigen, with funding from Phase 1 and Phase II SBIR grants, has solved these problems and makes available a novel complete assay system which includes CometSlides™, reagents, control cells and an electrophoresis unit which retains test cells in a uniquely configured electrophoretic field permitting consistent DNA migration patterns, which are critical for standardization of the assay. Each lot of the CometAssay™ control cells, reagents and CometSlides™developed by Trevigen are tested and qualified for use in the CometAssay™ System.

In combination, the components of the system permit reproducibility and reduce variability between individual users and different laboratories.

The subject of a Trevigen patent application, Trevigen’s new CometAssay™ ES is expected to make a major contribution to the refinement and regulation of the comet assay for cancer drug screening and genotoxicity studies. This system is targeted for release in the 4th quarter 2008.

Trevigen, Inc. is a rapidly growing biotechnology company focused on the development of products and technology for cancer research, emphasizing apoptosis, DNA damage and repair, and cancer cell function and behavior. Trevigen has been a long-standing provider of quality reagents and kits for researchers investigating programmed cell death and DNA damage and repair. A logical extension of the focus on cancer research has been the recent development of assays for cancer cell function and behavior including angiogenesis, cell invasion and tumor formation. Currently, the product portfolio contains over 500 products categorized into four processes – Apoptosis, DNA Damage and Repair, Angiogenesis, and Oxidative Stress.

Related products from Trevigen include CometAssay™ reagent kits, a variety of slides for low to high throughput assay platforms, FLARE™ assay kits for confirming the specificity of action of DNA damaging reagents and kits for the assay of drugs that inhibit the activity of poly(ADP)ribose polymerase (PARP). Visit www.trevigen.com or contact us at 800-873-8443 or info@trevigen.com for more information.

Trevigen’s CometAssay™ ES overcomes variations by placing an acrylic overlay on top of an elevated slide tray to maintain optimal buffer height for DNA migration. A constant buffer temperature is maintained using an underlying water jacket to cool the ceramic slide platform and buffer chamber. Notice the outlet valves for the water jacket on the right side of image. Specially designed slide trays are provided to accommodate 2, 20 and 96 well slides and maintain proper slide orientation in an electrophoretic field uniquely configured for single cell gel electrophoresis.

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