Lab Bulletin your partner in science

AMSBIO has released 4 new homogeneous 384-well format AlphaScreen assay kits - JMJD2A, JMJD2B, JMJD2C, PRMT5 and G9a (a histone methyltransferase).

In the desire to make the search for new drugs more economically viable, pharmaceutical companies are seeking rapid, sensitive assays where all the reaction reagents are added in a single automated step. Homogeneous assays are popular with researchers involved in high-throughput drug screening because they save time, save reagents, and are easy to automate. Homogeneous assays allow a simple "mix and read" process, without requiring lengthy, time consuming wash steps to remove unbound constituents.

AlphaScreen kits are bead-based ALPHA** technology assays, using microparticles coated with either DNA or protein in a format suitable for use with automated reagent handling systems. Each AlphaScreen or AlphaLISA assay contains two bead types, Donor beads and Acceptor beads. Binding of molecules captured on the beads leads to an energy transfer from one bead to the other, ultimately producing a luminescent / fluorescent signal. This signal can be detected in a plate reader capable of reading 96-, 384- or 1596-well plates. There are two types of beads, one used for AlphaScreening and one for AlphaLISA. The AlphaLISA bead emission (615 nm) is narrower and brighter than the AlphaScreen bead emission (520-620 nm). Conveniently, kits are suitable with either assay format.

These are the first in a series of kits that enables AMSBIO to broaden their offering in Kinase PDE and HDAC Screening and Profiling products and services.

Further information on AlphaScreen & AlphaLISA Homogeneous Assay Kits is available at www.amsbio.com/AlphaScreen-and-AlphaLISA-assays.aspx or by contacting AMSBIO on tel. +44-1235-828200

Founded in 1987, AMS Biotechnology (AMSBIO) is recognized as a leading international provider of unique & innovative products & custom services for life sciences research. The AMSBIO range includes over 23,000 polyclonal & monoclonal antibodies, peptides, recombinant proteins, extracellular matrix, molecular detection reagents, & tissue DNA, RNA, protein & microarray products. Key research areas include: apoptosis, cell invasion & migration, cell signalling, DNA damage, electrophoresis, glycobiology, post translational modification & stem cell biology.

*  ALPHA stands for Amplified Luminescent Proximity Homogeneous Assay. The ALPHA technology is similar to TR-FRET (Time-Resolved Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer) technology. AlphaLISA and AlphaScreen are trademarks of PerkinElmer Inc.