Editing BioMicroCenter:News2010 (section)

=== April 19, 2010 ===

Starting next month, the [http://mit.edu/ki/index.html Koch Institute] and the MIT BioMicro Center will be hosting a [http://www.nanostring.com/ Nanostring] nCounter system on a trial basis. The [http://www.nanostring.com/products/ncounter/ nCounter system] is a [http://www.nanostring.com/applications/technology/ single molecule visualizer] that quantitatively detects RNA and other nucleic acids using a hybridization system in a highly multiplex manner. The system uses color-coded molecular barcodes to digitally count nucleic acid molecules in solution. The system does not use enzymes for detecting the nucleic acids, allowing direct measurements of mRNA from a variety of input materials including degraded RNA or crude cell lysates.

The instruments will be located in the BioMicro Center and will be available to all members of the MIT community. We will be using this time to gauge the level of interest in the nCounter and whether it would be a viable system to purchase. 

If you are interested in learning more, we will be hosting a seminar with [http://www.nanostring.com/ Nanostring] representatives on April 30th. The seminar will be at 11am in 68-181. Nanostring representatives will be available after the talk to discuss the instruments and specific applications. More information is in the [[Media:Nanostring_abstract.pdf‎|ABSTRACT]] for the talk.