Leica Biosystems Partners with Bio-Techne for Automation of RNAscope COVID-19 Probes on BOND RX Staining Platform

Leica Biosystems (Wetzlar, Germany) and Bio-Techne Corporation (Minneapolis, MN, USA) have entered into a partnership for the automation of RNAscope COVID-19 probes on BOND RX, Leica's staining platform, for research use only.

The BOND RX is a flexible, open platform with the capability to run Bio-Techne RNAscope (duplex and multiplex) protocols, allowing for boundless innovation. The RNAscope probes are designed to detect SARS-Cov-2 viral RNA, SARS-Cov-2 viral replication sequences, and cellular receptors targeted by the virus, including ACE2 and TMPRSS2. Researchers now have the ability to automate their COVID-19 research protocols, reducing manual labor and turnaround time.

"The Bio-Techne R&D team quickly developed COVID-19 specific probes when the genetic sequence of this virus was released," said Kim Kelderman, President, Diagnostics and Genomics Segment, Bio-Techne Corporation. "We believe RNAscope probes will enable researchers to gain a greater understanding of the pathogenesis of this disease. The availability of these probes on the automated Leica Biosystems platform will expedite important discoveries."

"We expect the automation of COVID-19 research protocols on BOND RX to enable researchers to achieve breakthroughs faster in their research for vaccines, treatment or other vital areas of investigation," added Melissa Aquino, President, Leica Biosystems. "The partnership with Bio-Techne has enabled us to offer RNAscope COVID-19 probes to our BOND RX customers, which is an example of our commitment to support researchers in addressing the pandemic."

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Leica Biosystems
Bio-Techne Corporation