Singapore, April 29, 2008: ZyGEM Corp, a provider of advanced enzymatic tools for life sciences applications with facilities in California and in New Zealand, and Hamilton based Institute of Environmental Scientific and Research (ESR), announced that they are continuing their ongoing collaboration that has already produced a range of innovative DNA extraction kits for forensic applications.

 

The collaboration is leveraging the distinctive capabilities of these two innovators to accelerate the development of additional forensicGEM kits for flexible, fast, accurate and low-cost DNA extraction.

 

The forensicGEM family of kits uses a proprietary enzyme to extract DNA from samples using a single closed-tube system. The forensicGEM approach simplifies laboratory workflow, minimizes error, reduces the risk of contamination and ensures sample integrity while also reducing costs.

 

The kits are easy to automate for high-throughput applications using off-the-shelf robotic systems. They have been specifically formulated for DNA extraction from a range of different crime sample types without the need for further purification. forensicGEM kits provide PCR-ready, forensic grade DNA for 96 samples in just 20 minutes with no hands-on attention required. With forensicGEM, researchers can prepare samples up to three times faster than with existing products and at a lower cost.

 

"The simplicity and flexibility of the closed-tube approach provides many benefits to users, including protection from sample contamination, while the specially-designed formats facilitate DNA extraction from a variety of crime sample types. We look forward to continuing this collaboration intended to provide forensic scientists with better options for managing the critical task of DNA extraction," said Dr Jill Vintiner, Forensic Programme Manager, ESR.

 

forensicGEM kit formats based on ZyGEM's unique thermophilic enzymes have been optimised and validated by the researchers at ESR who have provided benchmark quality control standards for forensicGEM reagents. All reagents are rigorously quality controlled to test for efficacy and for the absence of human DNA.

 

"This mutually beneficial collaboration between ZyGEM and ESR is producing a growing range of validated forensicGEM kits that represent a completely novel approach to DNA extraction. We look forward to continuing this very productive relationship, whose success also provides a model we intend to follow as we establish additional collaborations and partnerships for our enzyme-based life sciences business," said Mr Paul Kinnon, CEO of ZyGEM."

 

Dr John Hay, CEO, ESR said that as a government-owned, science-focused business within New Zealand's Crown Research Institutes, the commercial partnership with ZyGEM is an important one. With our unique mix of research and development and operational delivery, ESR can play a very important role in the continuing commercialisation process for this product, which has international potential.

 

Currently available kits include forensicGEM Blood, forensicGEM Saliva, forensicGEM Tissue, forensicGEM Storage Card Saliva, forensicGEM Storage Card Blood and forensicGEM Cigarette. Additional formats are in development.