Apostle MiniMax Technology

Apostle partners with Beckman Coulter to offer the Apostle MiniMaxTM High Efficiency Isolation Kit. To place an order, or for more information, please visit Beckman Coulter's website:

 
https://www.beckman.com/reagents/genomic/dna-isolation/from-plasma

For more information about this partnership: https://www.beckman.com/news/liquid-biopsy-partnership-with-apostle

• Check our data brochure 
• User guidance: USER VALIDATION GUIDE
• Technical support: support@apostlebio.com

A recent paper published in JAMA Oncology by Torga & Pienta revealed that, strikingly, 2 major commercial liquid biopsy tests show significant and clinically unacceptable discordance. 

Why do liquid biopsy tests differ so significantly? Are they reliable? 

Among other impact factors, the extraction method of circulating free DNA (cfDNA) plays a major role here. Data show that different cfDNA extraction methods yield significantly different amounts of cfDNA by 10% to 10 folds, and consequently result in discordant conclusions. When we study genomic DNA isolated from the nucleus of cells, this level of difference may not matter much – because the amount of genetic material commonly reaches hundreds of micrograms (ug), so the downstream testing methods have enough genetic material to work with anyway. However, when we study cfDNA, this level of difference may result in a fundamental discordance, because the amount of cfDNA is commonly less than 100 nanograms (ng). Slight difference of cfDNA yields may result in critical impact on the testable copies of cancer mutations and the signal-to-noise ratio. 

We illustrate how the accuracy of a liquid biopsy is impacted by the cfDNA sample preparation in a figure below. To have a reliable liquid biopsy testing, a highly efficient cfDNA extraction must be achieved.

Exhibit 1. Sample preparation is a critical yet unaddressed challenge in liquid biopsy.

Apostle MiniMax technology ensures precise capture and separation of circulating genetic materials for liquid biopsy analysis. This is achieved through Apostle’s novel proprietary MiniMax magnetic nanoparticles (Exhibit 2-8) with innovative features:

• Novel material composition and surface chemistry - completely distinct from the conventional paramagnetic or superparamagnetic technologies
• Exceptionally large surface area
• Minimized variation
• Best-in-class suspension property
• Superb magnetic power
• Superb resistance to particle clustering

Excellent suspension is one of the critical properties of nanoparticles to excel in cfDNA isolation. In this simple but quite visual experiment, we compare Apostle MiniMax with the nanoparticles from other two technologies on the market. The three tubes contain equal weight of different types of nanoparticles. By 1 minute, the other technology #2 is almost completely sedimented. By 15 minute, the other technology #1 is almost completely sedimented. However, Apostle MiniMax has kept the suspension status, showing a superb suspension property.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ym63t4oLnkQ

A strong magnetic power is another critical property of nanoparticles to achieve a good cfDNA isolation performance. In this simple experiment, we compare the magnatic power of Apostle MiniMax with the nanoparticles from other two technologies on the market. The three tubes contain equal weight of different types of nanoparticles. A magnetic plate slowly approaches the three tubes at equal distances. Whichever tube having the strongest magnetic power makes the first move. 
The tube containing Apostle MiniMax makes the first move, while the other two technologies stay still. Apostle MiniMax shows a superb magnetic power.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SDVUoYzD9Y

The unwanted clustering of particles reduces the performance of the cfDNA isolation, and sometimes even interferes with the normal lab procedures. In this experiment, we compare MiniMax's ability to resist clustering with another leading technology on the market. After adding isopropyl alcohol, the other technology shows particle clustering visible to naked eye, while Apostle MiniMax does not. The Apostle MiniMax nanoparticles show a superb resistance to particle clustering. 

Large Image

Apostle MiniMaxTM technology offers a best-in-class efficiency and purity compared with conventional technologies to capture and isolate the circulating cell-free genetic materials. It has been trusted by many of the world's most prestigious leaders in life sciences.

"...This includes recognizing that an innovative product from a startup like Apostle is the best technology to address these needs." said Steve Wowk, Director of Genomics, Beckman Coulter Life Sciences.