Under the terms of the agreement, HTG and Harvard Catalyst Laboratory for Innovative Translational Technologies (HC-LITT) will collaborate to generate a novel microRNA biogenesis assay that can measure expression of both pre-microRNA precursors, mature-microRNAs and regulated RNA using HTG’s quantitative Nuclease Protection Assay (qNPA) technology.
Researchers at the HC-LITT are said to be investigating the implications of differential microRNA expression in human diseases such as cancer.
HC-LITT will utilize HTG’s technology to evaluate regulation of miRNA biogenesis by established oncogenic cell signaling pathways in order to develop novel diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets for the molecular characterization and treatment of cancer. HTG’s qNPA technology is used to carry out quantitative, multiplexed gene-based drug discovery programs, including target validation, HTS lead optimization, metabolism, toxicology and clinical development.
Winston Kuo, director of Harvard Catalyst Laboratory for Innovative Translational Technologies at Harvard Medical School, said: “We selected HTG’s technology due to the high precision and sensitivity of the product platform. I’m looking forward to utilizing HTG’s gene expression assay technology and imagers for HC-LITT’s research initiatives.”