Posted on Fri, May 14, 2010 @ 11:21 AM
Buy one CAL Fluor® or Quasar® -BHQ® Probe and get a FREE ValuProbeTM BHQ Probe* and calibration standard ($190 in savings!). Simply enter promo code CFQVP upon checkout to receive this offer. Take advantage of this promotion before it expires on June 30, 2010.
Biosearch Technologies offers CAL Fluor and Quasar dyes that span the spectrum, for 2-plex, 3-plex, 4-plex, 5-plex, and even 6-plex PCR. They perfectly complement the Black Hole Quencher dyes, a true dark quencher that extinguishes signal from any fluorophore.
This promotion is for one-time use only and limit one free probe per customer. Multiple promotions and discounts may not be combined. 25 nmol synthesis scale probes excluded.
Visit our Dual-Labeled BHQ Probes webpage for more details about our products and this current promotion.
Posted on Wed, Jan 06, 2010 @ 12:01 PM
By now, you've no doubt read about the reductions in error, cost and time that can be achieved by multiplexing real time PCR. A common complaint about multiplexing is that, despite its benefits, it is sometimes considered too much of a hassle. This post will address some key factors to consider when planning a multiplexed qPCR assay.
1. Instrumentation and Dye Selection
This one is pretty easy. For a successful multiplex, your instrument needs to be able to excite each of your reporter dyes. Although there are dyes on the market that excite in the far red, you'll be safe using an instrument which excites over the visible spectrum (350-750nm). Biosearch Technologies has developed two essential tools to assist you with dye selection:
- an interactive spectral overlay chart that allows you to compare spectra and pair dyes with BHQ® dyes (see below to access link)
- a chart displaying multiplexing recommendations for your real-time pcr instrument (see below to access link)
2. Probe and Primer Design
Biosearch provides a free design program called RealTimeDesign™ software which takes the struggle out of probe and primer design. For a successful qPCR multiplex experiment, primers and probes must be designed to avoid secondary structures and cross hybridization. Dyes should be chosen with distinct emission and excitation spectra in order to minimize crosstalk. RealTimeDesign software designs the sequences for your primers and probes, and selects appropriate reporter dyes and quenchers for your instrument, taking the guesswork out of multiplex design.
3. Dealing with Crosstalk
Crosstalk is fluorescent signal bleed-through between channels. Although unavoidable, crosstalk can be controlled by calibrating your instrument before running the experiment. Biosearch offers calibration standards, SuperRoxTM dye and instructions on their usage. The figure to the right is showing signal bleeds from CAL Fluor® Red 610 dye (red traces) into the channel detection Quasar® 670 dye (blue traces). Crosstalk is subsequently removed using software settings.
That's pretty much it. To help give you a quick jump start in developing a multiplexed qPCR assay, we are offering a ValuProbeTM BHQ Probe promotion where you will have a wider selection of fluorophores. For only $95 and for a limited time only, you can choose from FAM, CAL Fluor Orange 560, CAL Fluor Red 610, and Quasar 670 dyes. Click here to learn more details about our ValuProbe promotion.
Still new to the concept of multiplexing qPCR? Request a Multiplex Brochure from Biosearch Technologies, today!
Useful Tools and Resources:
Multiplex Guide
Interactive Spectral Overlay Tool
Multiplexing Recommendations Chart
RealTimeDesign Software
Instructions for Calibration Standards
Related Products:
ValuProbe BHQ Probes
Dual-Labeled BHQ Probes
Calibration and Reference Dyes
Posted on Mon, Sep 21, 2009 @ 04:07 PM
Since its introduction in 2005, the ValuProbe BHQ Probe has become Biosearch Technologies' most popular product sold to the real-time qPCR industry. Many molecular biologists choose the ValuProbe BHQ Probe because they are quality, superior performing fluorescence-quenched probes that work great for validating and optimizing real-time qPCR assays.
Always offered at the low price of $95, Biosearch is adding more colors to the ValuProbe product line for a limited time. In addition to FAM, ValuProbe BHQ Probes will also be available with CAL Fluor Orange 560, CAL Fluor Red 610, and Quasar 670 dyes. These new promotional fluorophore options are available as 5 nmol delivered and are HPLC purified. ValuProbe BHQ Probes labeled with FAM, however, will continue being sold as 10 nmol delivered, also HPLC purified.
With emission spectra that span the entire visible spectrum, Biosearch's CAL Fluor and Quasar dyes are compatible with the optics of many popular thermal cyclers and were developed specifically to complement the BHQ dyes. Not only are these specifications highly advantageous for real-time qPCR assays, but they are especially functional when used in multiplexed qPCR assays.
Take advantage of this promotion before it's too late! Visit www.biosearchtech.com/valuprobe to learn how to order ValuProbe BHQ Probes online today!