Released on: July 11, 2008, 10:45 am

Press Release Author: Belinda De Leon / Trevigen, Inc.

Industry: Biotech

Press Release Summary: Trevigen, with funding from Phase 1 and Phase II SBIR grants,
makes available a novel complete assay system which includes CometSlidesT, reagents,
control cells and an electrophoresis unit.

Press Release Body: The comet assay is the only direct method for the detection of
DNA damage in cells. It is used in cancer research, in genotoxicity studies on
environmental mutagens, and for screening compounds for cancer therapeutics. Based
on single cell gel electrophoresis in a controlled pH environment, the assay allows
the integrity of stained nuclear DNA to be examined and measured.

Until now, a lack of standardization in electrophoresis equipment, control cells,
comet slides and comet reagents created inconsistencies in data generated
run-to-run, user-to-user, and lab-to-lab.

Trevigen, with funding from Phase 1 and Phase II SBIR grants, has solved these
problems and makes available a novel complete assay system which includes
CometSlidesT, reagents, control cells and an electrophoresis unit which retains test
cells in a uniquely configured electrophoretic field permitting consistent DNA
migration patterns, which are critical for standardization of the assay. Each lot of
the CometAssayT control cells, reagents and CometSlidesTdeveloped by Trevigen are
tested and qualified for use in the CometAssayT System.

In combination, the components of the system permit reproducibility and reduce
variability between individual users and different laboratories.

The subject of a Trevigen patent application, Trevigen's new CometAssayT ES is
expected to make a major contribution to the refinement and regulation of the comet
assay for cancer drug screening and genotoxicity studies. This system is targeted
for release in the 4th quarter 2008.
Trevigen, Inc. is a rapidly growing biotechnology company focused on the development
of products and technology for cancer research, emphasizing apoptosis, DNA damage
and repair, and cancer cell function and behavior. Trevigen has been a long-standing
provider of quality reagents and kits for researchers investigating programmed cell
death and DNA damage and repair. A logical extension of the focus on cancer research
has been the recent development of assays for cancer cell function and behavior
including angiogenesis, cell invasion and tumor formation. Currently, the product
portfolio contains over 500 products categorized into four processes - Apoptosis,
DNA Damage and Repair, Angiogenesis, and Oxidative Stress.

Related products from Trevigen include CometAssayT reagent kits, a variety of slides
for low to high throughput assay platforms, FLARET assay kits for confirming the
specificity of action of DNA damaging reagents and kits for the assay of drugs that
inhibit the activity of poly(ADP)ribose polymerase (PARP). Visit www.trevigen.com or
contact us at 800-873-8443 or info@trevigen.com for more information.

Trevigen's CometAssayT ES overcomes variations by placing an acrylic overlay on top
of an elevated slide tray to maintain optimal buffer height for DNA migration. A
constant buffer temperature is maintained using an underlying water jacket to cool
the ceramic slide platform and buffer chamber. Notice the outlet valves for the
water jacket on the right side of image. Specially designed slide trays are
provided to accommodate 2, 20 and 96 well slides and maintain proper slide
orientation in an electrophoretic field uniquely configured for single cell gel
electrophoresis.



Web Site: http://www.trevigen.com

Contact Details: Trevigen, Inc.
8405 Helgerman Court
Gaitherburg, MD 20877
www.trevigen.com
info@trevigen.com
1.800.873.8443