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Are personal telephone calls, letters, emails, that we have exchanged in the past, or conference meetings and personal visits not sufficient to assure an optimal exchange of information? Do we really need an additional tool? Is a newsletter like this worthwhile?
We think: yes! Regardless of the information "overload" we are all confronted with in our day-to-day activities, we feel that this new information channel will be of great service to you by presenting up-to-date information on new products, trends and big hits in our diagnostic world. Allow us to upgrade your information pipeline with the new DIARECT newsletter.
Our newsletter debut will focus on the following topics: we will introduce two new antigens, both belonging to the ANA/ENA family of nuclear targets; and we are pleased to present a SurModics' contribution on their high-quality product line of stabilization components for all diagnostic devices and technologies.
Pleasant reading
Your DIARECT team
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Ku (p70/p80) Cat.No. 17300 |
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Ku (p70/p80) - a new antigen from DIARECT AG supplements our outstanding panel of recombinant human ANA/ENA targets for comprehensive in-vitro testing of systemic autoimmune diseases.
The Ku protein plays important roles in multiple nuclear processes including DNA repair, V(D)J recombination, telomere maintenance, and the regulation of specific gene transcription. Ku antigen consists of two polypeptides (70 kDa and 80 kDa) and is a regulatory subunit of DNA-dependent protein kinase. Antibodies to Ku were originally reported in scleroderma-polymyositis overlap syndrome (up to 20% of patients) but have also been detectable in about 20% of patients with primary pulmonary hypertension (as a complication of overlap), in 5-10% of SLE and MCTD patients, and in up to 20% of patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome.
In IIF using HEp-2 cells, Ku-positive sera yield a dense, fine granular pattern that is typical but not specific for anti-Ku. Detection of Ku antibodies by Western blot may bear false-negative results since the main reactive epitope on the p70/p80 heterodimer is conformation-dependent. Also in some cases Ku Sera exclusively react with either p70 or p80 but not both.
DIARECT's recombinant human Ku (p70/p80) antigen is manufactured using the eukaryotic baculovirus/insect cell expression system and is suitable for diagnostic applications regardless of assay system.
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Centromere Protein A (CENP-A) Cat.No. 16900 |
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Serodiagnosis of antinuclear antibodies is like a kaleidoscope: if you turn a bit a new image will appear. A recent study performed in Prof. Humbel's lab (Luxembourg) disclosed a total of 160 IIF centromere pattern-positive patient sera: 14 (9 %) sera were negative (2 border-line) for CENP-B antibodies (ELISA), but 13 of these showed a positive test result for CENP-A antibodies. Only 1 IIF positive serum was negative for both centromere antigens.
Centromere protein A antigen is now available following development work at DIARECT. Make your centromere assay more complete and include the CENP-A antigen in your assays. Order your evaluation sample of Centromere Protein A (Cat.No. 16900) now!
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Figure 1: The 160 sera included in this study have proven centromere antibody positive by unambiguous HEp-2
cell immuno fluorescence pattern. They were then tested separately on CENP-A and CENP-B coated
ELISA plates.
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| Figure 1 |
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SurModics |
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SurModics Inc. (Eden Prairie, MN, USA) is a leading provider of surface modification and drug delivery solutions for medical device applications, as well as proprietary in vitro diagnostics products for the stability and improved performance of proteins. For several years now the exclusive distributor for Europe is DIARECT AG.
SurModics' first protein stabilizer for use with dried proteins in ELISA formats, StabilCoat(®) Immunoassay Stabilizer, was introduced to the market in 1990. Since that time, SurModics has introduced several other products for the stabilization of proteins, both dried and in-solution. These products have shown unsurpassed stabilizing efficacy over leading competitor products (See Figure 1 below).
SurModics scientists are continually researching ways to create new products for the stabilization and storage of a variety of biologicals. Later this year, SurModics will introduce to the market a BSA-free (bovine serum albumin-free) conjugate stabilizer to its StabilZyme product line. SurModics is currently exploring the possibility of using its proprietary technologies for the stabilization and storage of cells (e.g. stem cells) anticipated for use in a variety of therapies.
Through its state-of-the-art products and technologies, SurModics is bringing innovation together with medical device, diagnostic and biotechnology companies around the world.
Check out our new white paper on stabilization products at our website (available May 2005):
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| Figure 2 |
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Figure 2: StabilZyme HRP Conjugate Stabilizer Retained Activity. The retained activity of HRP conjugated monoclonal antibody stored in StabilZyme HRP Conjugate Stabilizer, a Competitor HRP Stabilizer and a common HRP Conjugate Diluent was evaluated. The conjugated monoclonal antibody was diluted to 0.4 µg/mL in each of the stabilizers and then stored at 37°C. Activity was tested by ELISA.
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Calendar, events where you can meet the DIARECT people face-to-face |
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24 - 28 July 2005
AACC 2005 Annual Meeting
Orlando, Florida, USA
21 - 24 August 2005
AMLI Annual Meeting
Hyatt Regency Denver
Denver, Colorado, USA
29 September - 02 October 2005
IWAA - 9th International Workshop on Autoantibodies and Autoimmunity
Gainesville, Florida, USA
15 - 19 November 2005
MEDICA 2005
Duesseldorf, Germany
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