Norbert Franken

Automation of NA Marker Measurements

Quality and productivity of Nucleic Acid (NA) based marker measurement by means of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is significantly improved with a higher degree of automation. The application of new instruments and innovative system concepts allows PCR to be established as a truly routine NA marker measuring tool in the diagnostic laboratory. The COBAS AmpliPrep instrument (Roche Diagnostics) automates the entire specimen preparation process of nucleic acid isolation either based on probe capture technology or on extraction method with glass particles. The compatibility of this front end workstation with various back end PCR systems like the COBAS AMPLICOR analyzer, LightCycler instrument and COBAS TaqMan instrument (all of them Roche Diagnostics) offers flexibility for various assays to be performed in the molecular diagnostic laboratory. In addition, the combination with COBAS TaqMan 96 analyzer and in particular, the connection of both those instruments with the docking station (Roche Diagnostics) represents the first fully automated PCR system with a continuous workflow from the sample input to result without any manual operator interaction. COBAS, AMPLICOR, AMPLILINK, AmpliPrep, TaqMan, and LightCycler are trademarks of a member of the Roche Group