Frequently asked questions
| Q1: What are TCR clonality detection kits used for? |
| - detecting T cell immune response on the molecular level after vaccination, viral, tumor, or other antigen challenge - tracking effectiveness of therapeutic treatment in TCR, T cell, gene or anti viral therapy - monitoring T cell immune reconstitution following bone marrow transplantation or highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) - searching biomarkers for T cell related diseases |
| Q2: What are clonality quantitation kits used for? |
| TCR Clonality Quantitation and CDR3 Size Diversity Determination Kits come with proprietary CDR3Qassay software and are used to determine quantitatively changes in the clonality / CDR3 diversity of Va or Vß repertoires within the subject T lymphocytes |
| Q3: What are TCR clone screening kits used for? |
| The TCR Clone Screening Assay Kits allow the user to screen quickly and easily for particular TCR clones in established monoclonal T cells, such as CTL clones, using simple gel analysis. The assay system can also be used to determine quantitatively the expression of TCR receptor genes when used with an appropriate gel analysis system, such as NIH-image. |
| Q4: What are the differences between TCRExpress™ and SuperTCRExpress™ kits? |
| When using the TCRExpress™ kit, the customer needs to have cDNA prepared prior to using the kit. With the SuperTCRExpress™ kit, purified total RNA (purification system provided in the kit) is added directly to the PCR plate and the one-step PCR process converts the RNA into 1st strand cDNA, then continues PCR amplification. RNA purification system is included in the kit. |
| Q5: Are the results of the two lines of kits (TCRExpress™ and SuperTCRExpress™) identical? |
| Yes. Both yield identical results on the gel – with the TCRExpress™ kit the user just needs to go through an additional process step before using our kit. |
| Q6: What is the minimum number of cells required for amplifying 22 Vβ gene families |
| 1 x 105 of the purified T cells or 1 x 106 unfractional T cells, unless otherwise noted. This is the equivalent of 60ng total RNA/ul. |
| Q7: How long does it take to get data using the SuperTCRExpress™ clonality detection kit? |
| 5.5 hours from start to finish, including PCR and gel running time. With the TCRExpress™ kit, the procedure takes longer due to the cDNA synthesis step. |
| Q8: Is the statistical software included in the first purchase of TCR CDR3 size determination kit? |
| Yes, the software is free with purchase of these kits. |
| Q9: How many samples can I run with each kit? |
| For each product there are currently three kit sizes available, for 2, 4 or 8 samples per kit. |
| Q10: Do you offer discounts if I buy large quantities (e.g., for more than 100 samples)? |
| Yes, we do. Please contact us to receive a quote. |
| Q11: What equipment do I need to use these kits? |