The BiosearchTech Blog

New Product Line! ValuPanel™ Reagents

We are pleased to introduce ValuPanel Reagents, a new product line of mission-critical probe and primer sets that discriminate different strains of pathogens. This product line culminated from our successful collaboration with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention* (CDC) in response to the 2009 H1N1 pandemic. As of now, ValuPanel Reagents are available for both 2009 H1N1 and seasonal Influenza A subtyping.

*CDC does not endorse products or services.

The Details:
Probes are labeled with FAM and BHQ® dyes and all probes and primers are HPLC purified. ValuPanel Reagents are available with same day shipping via FedEx Priority for all orders placed before 2 PM (PST). ValuPanel Reagents are for Research Use Only (RUO) and currently resolve genetic signatures specific to the following viruses and subtypes:

2009 H1N1

• InfA for the universal detection of influenza A
• swInfA for the specific detection of swine influenza A
• swH1 for the specific detection of swine influenza H1
• RNase P for a positive control

Influenza A Subtyping

• InfA - for the universal detection of influenza A
• H1 subtype of influenza A
• H3 subtype of influenza A
• H5a subtype of influenza A
• H5b subtype of influenza A
• InfB - for the universal detection of influenza B
• RNase P for a positive control

Probe pricing for ValuPanel Reagents start from $135.00 and provide 5 nmol delivered. Forward and reverse primers are each available for $14.00 and provide 20 nmol delivered.

Learn more about Biosearch's NEW ValuPanel Reagents:

• 2009 H1N1 ValuPanel Reagents
• Influenza A Subtyping ValuPanel Reagents
  

Labeling Oligos with Internal BHQ Dyes

When to use an internal Black Hole Quencher (BHQ) label in a fluorescence-quenched probe for real-time qPCR.

 

When the sequence length of your probe is 30 bases or shorter, we recommend selecting a conventional BHQ label for the 3' end of your probe. We have noticed, however, that probe lengths longer than 30 bases exhibit high background noise and are frequently nonfunctional. They are too long for efficient FRET quenching, a mechanism that is highly dependent upon the distance between the fluorophore and quencher. A shorter average distance between fluorophore and quencher is optimal for a FRET quenching environment, which is common in real-time qPCR experiments.

 

To resolve the problematic issues that could potentially arise when designing a longer probe, we recommend using an internal BHQ label, and putting a Spacer 3 (C3) modification at the 3' end to block polymerase extension. Without this Spacer 3 modification, the probe would instead behave as a primer and produce non-specific amplicons, which may be observed as a false positive. Placing your quencher internally can significantly reduce background noise because the quencher is positioned in closer proximity to the 5' fluorophore.

 

Biosearch Technologies offers T-BHQ-1, an internal BHQ dye attached to a thymine (T) base.  The internal BHQ label should be positioned no closer than 10 bases from the 5’ end to minimize interference.  Visit our dual-labeled probes product page to order probes internally labeled with a BHQ dye.  Simply select FAM from the 5’ Fluorophore drop down menu and an Internal Quencher drop down menu will appear with the option to select T-BHQ-1.

Salt-Free Primer Pair Option Now Available

Biosearch Technologies will now be offering the option of salt-free primer pairs for purchase with any probe order. A more affordable option for real-time qPCR, these primers offer a higher yield at a faster turnaround time in comparison to cartridge-purified primers.

We have done extensive research to show that the difference in purity specifications does not compromise the quality or performance in assays using the salt-free primer pairs instead of the cartridge purified primer pairs. You can review the Biosearch-conducted purification study by downloading this report.

Depending on your desired synthesis scale, Salt-Free primer pairs range in price from $15 - $45. Begin ordering your primer pairs with your probe order today. They are currently available for purchase with Dual-Labeled Probes, Molecular Beacons and BHQplus Probes.

Biosearch Technologies is adding more COLOR to qPCR

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!