Agilent Technologies has purchased MassCode Tag technology from Eurofins MWG Operon, a division of Eurofins. According to the company, the technology will allow them to develop new research products for pathogen identification, leveraging its strength in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and mass spectroscopy.

“By acquiring this technology and moving it forward, Agilent is creating a new solution that enables mid-range multiplex screening for the life science research market,” said Gustavo Salem, the company’s vice president and general manager, Biological Systems Division. “This technology addresses a key need by reducing the cost to screen for a large number of pathogens that might be present in a given sample and will accelerate the life science research workflow.”

Described in a statement from the company, MassTag PCR requires individual tags to be attached to DNA primers corresponding to microbial sequences. The primers are then used to amplify nucleic acid isolated from biological sample using PCR. The tags are released by applying UV irradiation and mass spectroscopy is then used to identify the corresponding tags. The company claims that the mass spectroscopy detection technique is highly multiplexed, faster and more sensitive than other technologies available for PCR analysis.

For more information about Agilent visit www.agilent.com or for more about the company providing the technology visit www.operon.com