StaRT-PCR™ is a patented, standardized, quantitative method for measuring multi-gene expression in a tissue or cell culture sample of any living organism. The platform technique employs competitive templates incorporated into standardized mixtures of internal standards (SMIS™). Competitive template PCR was originally developed to provide quantitative DNA or RNA measurement that compensates for the unpredictable nature of PCR. Until now, the technique was not popular because of the immense work necessary to construct the competitive templates. Gene Express has resolved this problem and has added standardization, automation, and convenience. The use of competitive templates in our SMIS™ reagents allows data from different experiments, different laboratories and across the development lifecycle of a particular product, to be directly compared since the values are determined relative to the same standardized mixtures. Gene Express designs, manufactures, and validates a competitive template for each gene before it is eligible to be an internal standard. Validation includes assessment for specificity and sensitivity. Gene Express then generates large batches of SMIS™ (enough for billions of assays of hundreds of genes). These SMIS™ include precisely predetermined concentrations of internal standards for both the target and reference genes (i.e., ACTB and GAPD).

Fig. 1. Diagram of the StaRT-PCR™ Process

Because StaRT-PCR™ reactions are performed with internal standards for both target and reference genes, there is integrated quality control. See Figure 1 above Diagram of the StaRT-PCR™ Process. Thus, data are represented as true numerical values that can be mathematically manipulated. This allows for the calculation of gene expression indices and for the direct comparison of experimental results.

Each gene expression result is reported as number of molecules mRNA for gene "X" per 106 molecules of ACTB (reference gene). Serial dilutions of the standardized mixes allow quantitative measurements over the entire 6.5 log range of gene expression.

All data are directly comparable because data are measured using standardized lots of the internal standards (SMIS™). With such standardized data, expression levels of genes in diseased vs. normal tissue can be compared with confidence across all experiments and other laboratories. In addition, internal standards inherently correct for any inhibitors that may be present in tissue extracts, a serious problem that cannot be compensated when real-time PCR analysis and other competing gene expression measurement methods are used.

Gene Express provides the convenience and quality of multi-gene expression analysis at its Standardized Expression Measurement (SEM) Center™. The SEM Center™ performs StaRT-PCR™ assays using automated, highly controlled conditions with our proprietary SMIS™ and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) protocols. Thus, reproducibility is high with a coefficient of variance of <10%. Every assay undergoes stringent quality control and quality assurance evaluations for sensitivity as determined by the lower limit of detection and specificity. Gene Express provides standardized multi-gene expression analysis at its automated SEM Center™ to researchers worldwide. Currently, these researchers are using StaRT-PCR™ to understand the functionality of the genome and to develop new drugs and innovative clinical molecular diagnostic tests. Some of the benefits of the StaRT-PCR™ method can be differentiated from other gene expression methods as shown in the Table below. Order today, StaRT-PCR™ assays for multi-gene expression analysis.

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Order your assays for quantitative and standardized multi-gene expression analysis today.