Sigma-Aldrich launches enhanced online qPCR tool

Sigma-Aldrich has announced the launch of an enhanced version of its OligoArchitect online tool for use in quantitative polymerase chain reaction PCR (qPCR) assay design.

The company's Sigma Life Science division has upgraded the comprehensive, free-to-use tool to offer new features such as primer and probe homology searching and template secondary structure analysis.

It can be used to design across exon splice sites, while tools for alternative and multiplex designs and automatic retrieval of template sequences are also available.

The new service complements the company's existing qPCR probes, reagents and oligonucleotide offerings, supporting detection chemistries both for SYBR Green I primers and dual-labelled probes.

Tom Russell, product manager at Sigma Life Science, said: "OligoArchitect was designed to empower both qPCR novices and experts to quickly design sophisticated and MIQE-compliant primers and probes without having to shuffle data between multiple tools."

In July 2011, the company expanded its product range further by introducing new genetically modified human cell lines, designed for use in breast cancer research.