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COVID-19 testing labs can use Promega XpressAmp Direct Amplification Reagents for RNA extraction-free sample preparation that is simple and automation-friendly. (Graphic: Business Wire)

The simple, direct amplification workflow involves:

Promega, a global manufacturer of reagents, assays and benchtop instruments essential for COVID-19 research, drug development and diagnostic testing, including RNA extraction, increased production dramatically since the start of the pandemic to address a 10-fold increase in demand. Reagent manufacturers worldwide responded similarly. Still, supply and demand gaps remain, particularly around RNA extraction. Promega sought a solution that leverages the companys more than 40 years of experience in both sample preparation and amplification, especially its work with challenging samples such as forensic crime scene evidence. The result is a direct amplification method that simplifies and accelerates time to qPCR results.

We are constantly exploring ways to apply our scientific and manufacturing expertise to help labs address the unprecedented demands they are facing for COVID-19 testing, says Promega Chief Medical Officer Ashley Anderson. Offering an option to skip RNA extraction and move directly to PCR amplification not only saves time, it also addresses potential supply constraints since the many buffers and optimization reagents needed for extraction and wash steps in a typical PCR workflow are no longer needed.

XpressAmp Direct Amplification Reagents are a custom product that can be adjusted in numerous ways to suit a laboratorys specific needs. Options include purchasing in bulk, changing the dispense size or reformatting and relabeling.

Direct amplification technology continues Promega Corporations support of the worldwide fight against COVID-19.

Promega tools used for COVID-19 applications are a small subset of the 4,000 products Promega manufactures and distributes globally, serving research, pharma, clinical, forensic and applied markets. These tools are used for a myriad of applications in human health, disease, genetic identity, drug development, clinical diagnostics and more.

To learn more about Promega XpressAmp Direct Amplification Reagents, visit http://www.promega.com/PromegaXpressAmp

About Promega Corporation

Promega Corporation is a leader in providing innovative solutions andtechnical supportto the life sciences industry. The companys product portfolio of over 4,000 products support a range of life science work across areas such as cell biology; DNA, RNA and protein analysis; drug development; human identification and molecular diagnostics. For over 40 years these tools and technologies have grown in their application and are used today by scientists and technicians in labs for academic and government research, forensics, pharmaceuticals, clinical diagnostics and agricultural and environmental testing. Promega is headquartered in Madison, WI, USA with branches in 16 countries and over 50 global distributors. For more information, visit http://www.promega.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200902005210/en/

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COVID-19 Testing Labs Can Skip RNA Extraction, Simplifying and Accelerating Workflow, With New Promega XpressAmp Direct Amplification Reagents -...