Targeting Systems

Targeting Systems

   Targeting Systems公司成立于1996年5月，依靠美国国立卫生研究院（NIH）的小型商业创新研究基金筹建。在公司成立的第一年，便推出了第一个产品线——Targefect。目前公司的主打产品是荧光素酶（Luciferases）检测试剂盒，可以广泛应用于药物筛选、基因表达和干细胞研究。公司网址：http://www.targetingsystems.net
 
Company Origins
 
Targeting Systems was started in May 1996 entirely with the help of an SBIR phase I grant from the NIH. The company launched its first product line, Targefect™ within its first year of inception. The company which began as a one person operation now offers over 100 products based a very diverse and strong IP portfolio Targeting Systems has applied it´s expertise in bioluminescence to address challenges in drug discovery, gene expression and stem cell research. Since inception the company has spun off Pluristem Innovations (2007, stared to apply our diverse technologies for stem cell reseach and therapeutics) and helped start a company in India (Shakti Biosystems).
 
Company Focus
Our main focus has always been active research towards the development of novel technologies for applications in functional genomics. Our main areas of research include regulation of gene expression, alteration of cell function through intracellular delivery of functionally active proteins, and the development of ultra sensitive reporter gene assays based on unique luciferases.
 
Innovations
 
Bioluminescence :
Luciferase Reporters and Assay Systems
The Best and the Brightest Single, dual, triple and quintuple reporter systems spanning the spectrum, tailored for high throughput screening.
Gaussia Luciferase (λmax 482 nm) -
We were the first the develop mammalian expression vectors and an HTS-compatible assay system for Gaussia luciferase, the brightest known secreted luciferase. (licensed form Prolume Inc, Arizona).
Cyrpridina luciferase (λmax 467 nm) -
A bright secreted luciferase which uses a unique luciferin Cypridina luciiferin as the substrate
Green Renilla Luciferase (λmax 527 nm) -
Brightest Renilla luciferase created by a combination of random mutagenesis and rational design and engineered to be secreted.
Blue Renilla Luciferase (λmax 467 nm) -
Secretable version created by mutagenesis.
Red-emitting Firefly luciferase (λmax 617 nm) and Green-emitting Firefly luciferases frrom the Italian firefly Luciola Italica -
Thermostable mutant, 1000-fold brighter than it‘s native counterpart. Also available in secretable form.
Green-emitting firely luciferase (λmax 550 nm) from Luciola Italica.
 
High Throughput Screening :
Multiplexed Luciferase assays for HTS
We are the first to have developed single solution-based triple luciferase reporter assays - 3 different secreted luciferases activities in the same sample can be measured with one assay solution by spectral resolution using appropriate filters in the luminometer. Saves screening time, increased assay sensitivity(brighter signal) and compatibility with HTS. Cells remain viable for downstream applications.
 
Lenti-Luciferase Product lines LentiPower™ and LentiGlo™
Harness the power of lentiviral technology in combination with our panel of ultrasensitive novel luciferase reporters to create luciferase expressing lentiviruses containing your promoter of interest (LentiPower= or create stably transfected cells expressing our unique luciferases (with FPs if desirable) using LentiGlo. Even the most difficult cell types are transduced with almost 100% efficiency. Applications include in vivo imaging and tracking of implanted tumors or stem cells (See the graph and table at the drug discovery link on our website http://www.targetingsystems.net/drug-discovery.php
Several issued and pending patents cover our portfolio of unique luciferases and assay reagents.
 
Gene Delivery - Targefect™ / Virofect™ Transfection Reagents :
Targefect F-1 and Targefect F-2 -
A lipid-based (Targefect F‘1) and non-lipid polymer (Targefect F-2) reagent are available. Over 100 citations in reputable journals document their performance
Virofect - A unique adenovirus derived Enhancer formulation (patented technology exclusively held by Targetign Systems)
- 10-1000-fold improvement of gene transfer.
- Transfection in many primary cells is even better than that achieved by the Amaxa system or Neon systems (both useelectroporation and require trypsinization of cells) while toxicity is low.
Cell-specific transfection reagents -
Optimized protocols and transfection kits offered for many commonly used cell lines and primary cells
siRNA and microRNA transfections -
The Targefect siRNA kit or a combination of Targefect F-2 and Virofect works efficienctly for delivery of siRNA, microRNA or co-delivery of RNAi with plasmid DNA into even the most difficult to transfer cells.
Patents on gene delivery (in vitor and in vivo) and luciferase-based technology for screening siRNAs and microRNAs in vitor and in vivo
 
Protein Delivery :
Profect-P1 and Profect-P2 :
Unique protein delivery reagents that have proved useful for diverse applications such as differentiation of human stem cells into specific lineages and delivery of a variety of functionally active proteins into macrophages and primary cells. See our ppt presentation for an overview of performance and endorsements link
 
Protein Expression :
Efficient transfection of free style 293 suspension cells at a greatly educed price using a specialized targefect formulation (Targefect-293F) and transfection protocol.
 
Stem Cells :
Stem Cell Transfection :
Efficient gene transfer into embryonic and human adult mesenchymal stem cells using a combination of Virofect and Targefect
Stem Cell Differentiation :
Differentiation of human stem clels into specific lineages by site specific delivery of specific proteins using Profect.
Stem cell Expansion, Growth and Survival :
Our LentiGlo technology has proved highly useful for studying growth, survival and differentiation of stem cells both in vitro and in vivo.
Patents on stem cell tracking, differentiation and de-differentiation