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Sigma-Aldrich Introduces Methylated DNA Quantification Technology for Epigenetic Research

Posted on: Thursday, 30 October 2008, 03:00 CDT

ST. LOUIS, Oct. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sigma-Aldrich today introduced its Imprint(TM) Methylated DNA Quantification Kit (MDQ1) for epigenetic research http://www.sigma-aldrich.com/mdq1. The Methylated DNA Quantification Kit employs a familiar ELISA-like procedure, with no radioactivity or chromatography, to measure global methylation in less than four hours. The kits are effective with a DNA input as low as 5ng of fully methylated DNA and are arranged in a flexible 8-well assay strips format, allowing for high-throughput applications or manual analysis of DNA from cultured cells, tissues, plasma and other body fluid samples. Imprint MDQ technology will enable scientists to rapidly quantify the global methylation status of biological samples, providing insight into conditions that alter methylation status and facilitating advanced disease research.

The introduction of MDQ1 kits provides researchers with an alternative to currently available methods for quantifying global methylation, such as reverse phase HPLC, MALDI-TOF-MS, methylation sensitive restriction fingerprinting, DNA methyltransferase assays, immunohistostaining, and dot blots. MDQ1 kits include all necessary reagents, enabling laboratories to screen samples in-house rather than sending them to core facilities.

"Our Imprint Methylated DNA Quantification Kits offer complete and rapid solutions for the quantification of global DNA methylation," said Tim Fleming, Director of Commercial Marketing at Sigma-Aldrich. "The addition of this exciting technology to our epigenetic research product suite reflects Sigma- Aldrich's commitment to developing a robust platform of technologies to support the epigenetics research community."

Sigma-Aldrich licensed its MDQ technology from the Epigentek Group. The Imprint Methylated DNA Quantification Kit complements Sigma Life Science's epigenetic research portfolio, including the Imprint DNA Modification Kit and the Imprint ChIP Kit, as well as products for DNA purification, qPCR, sequencing and post-reaction clean-up.

"We are very excited by Sigma-Aldrich's decision to partner with Epigentek in the epigenetic field," said Adam Li, chief scientific officer at Epigentek. "This arrangement underscores Epigentek's position in the epigenetic arena, strengthens our strategy and portfolio, and is expected to benefit both companies' programs in developing new epigenetics technologies and products."

To learn more about the Imprint Methylated DNA Quantification Kit, and Sigma-Aldrich's epigenetics research product portfolio, visit http://www.sigma-aldrich.com/epigenetics.

About Sigma-Aldrich: Sigma-Aldrich is a leading Life Science and High Technology company. Our biochemical and organic chemical products and kits are used in scientific and genomic research, biotechnology, pharmaceutical development, the diagnosis of disease and as key components in pharmaceutical and other high technology manufacturing. We have customers in life science companies, university and government institutions, hospitals, and in industry. Over one million scientists and technologists use our products. Sigma-Aldrich operates in 36 countries and has 8,000 employees providing excellent service worldwide. Sigma-Aldrich is committed to Accelerating Customer Success through Leadership in Life Science, High Technology and Service. For more information about Sigma-Aldrich, please visit our award-winning website at http://www.sigma-aldrich.com/.

About Epigentek Group Inc.: Epigentek Group Inc. is a biotechnology company that focuses on developing and providing innovative technology and products as a complete and systematic solution for epigenetics-related research and drug discovery. The company has developed a comprehensive portfolio of more than 400 proprietary products that are used all around the world by esteemed academia, leading pharmaceuticals, and cutting edge biotechnology companies. These unique products are specifically designed to make assays significantly more simple, fast, convenient and efficient than conventional methods. The company, particularly emphasizing speed and effectiveness in its technologies, continues to focus on epigenetic innovation and to extensively develop and enhance its product portfolio.

Cautionary Statement: This release contains forward-looking statements relating to future performance, goals, strategic actions and initiatives and similar intentions and beliefs and other statements regarding the Companies' expectations, goals, beliefs, intentions and the like, which involve assumptions regarding the Companies' operations and conditions in the markets the Companies serve. The Companies do not undertake any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

Sigma-Aldrich is a registered trademark of Sigma-Aldrich Biotechnology L.P. and Sigma-Aldrich Co.

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Sigma-Aldrich

CONTACT: Sean Battles of Sigma-Aldrich, +1-314-286-7616,sean.battles@sial.com

Web site: http://www.sigma-aldrich.com/

Source: PRNewswire-FirstCall

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