GELIFICATION : ”One tube-one reaction technology platform”

(Patents PCT ES02/000109 and PCT ES2004/000024)

GELIFICATION is a patented technology developed by Biotools, consisting in a process where components of enzymatic reactions are stabilized at room temperature by the addition of stabilizing agents. This process does not alter protein structures, and interactions between reagents are avoided until the reaction is activated by the user either by resuspending in a liquid medium or by heat activation.

Gelification is a revolutionary chemical-physical process that can be applied to a variety of enzymatic reactions usually performed in Molecular Biology research, development and diagnosis, including DNA amplification, stabilization of proteins, RT-PCR, Real Time Amplifications using probes or fluorescent dyes, restriction analysis, RNA, etc. Based on this technology, Biotools has developed and launched an extensive product portfolio of stabilized kits and enzymes that provide users with important advantages (Figure 2).

One Tube-One Reaction and Ready-to-Use Format: Due to the fact that all required reaction components are assembled in the gelified kit, the reaction can be started immediately by the user avoiding the usual preparation steps, which in many cases contribute to contamination and unspecific results (Figure 2). 

Shipped and storage at room temperature: Gelification technology stabilized reaction mixes, making it possible to avoid dry ice, as storage at room temperature or at 4 °C for long periods of time.

Less handling steps: Ready to Use kits and reagents avoiding or reducing cross-contaminations. Gelification means easy handling and minimal time required for setting up reactions, facilitating that way Ready to Use kits and reagents (Figure 3).

Hot-start: Biotools Gelification technology allows Hot Start effects in every reaction, at user´s will. Gelification means that, unless resuspended by pipetting, reagents will only interact when temperatures above 70 °C are reached. Unspecificity in amplification reactions, associated with an early start of the reaction, is avoided.

Easy-to-use format: The Gel format has been specially designed for in-field analysis, where cold chain is not always maintained, reagents have to be trusted independently of the environmental conditions, and non-existence of physical separation between working areas demands the maximum minimization in handling steps.

Savings in consumables and easy handling: In gelified reactions, all reagents are ready-to-use, so less consumable are used, making this technology extremely cost competitive.

Automation: The Gelification technology facilitates the automation of routine processes, reducing working steps and time. Liquid handling steps and consumables in high-throughput are also greatly reduced (Figure 3).

Speed: In summary, Biotools Gelification Technology results in time savings, less handling steps, reduced risk of cross-contamination, as well as the possibility of performing amplification reactions where there are neither freezers nor physical separation between working areas.

Biotools`s Gelification Technology has been applied to an extensive product portfolio, including diagnosis kits, agrofood kits, nucleic acids amplification kits, and different reagents. Furthermore, new I&D areas of our company, are based on gelification technology.

For more information regarding this subject our R&D Department would be happy to provide you with more data (for details please send us an email to info@biotools.eu).