RNAConnect® Announces Commercial Launch of UltraMarathonRT® cDNA Synthesis and Amplification Kit for Enhanced Short-Read RNA Sequencing

RNAConnect, a leader in next-generation molecular biology tools, today announced the commercial launch of the UltraMarathonRT cDNA Synthesis and Amplification Kit, designed to elevate short-read RNA sequencing workflows. This kit unleashes the power of UltraMarathonRT (uMRT) to deliver unprecedented sensitivity and breadth of transcript detection and quantification, even for the most challenging transcripts.

UltraMarathonRT represents a significant leap forward for RNA-seq.

By harnessing uMRT, researchers can now uncover RNA species and transcriptional complexity that were previously masked - especially rare isoforms and long noncoding RNAs - unlocking new avenues for biomarker discovery and basic research."

Dr. Jason Underwood, Vice President, Technology Development, RNAConnect

While RNA sequencing technologies have become increasingly powerful, one of the major limitations restricting the field is the creation of cDNA inputs that faithfully reflect the transcriptomic diversity in each RNA sample. The existing retroviral reverse transcriptases (RTs) are inherently 'distributive,' meaning they attach and detach frequently from an RNA transcript while struggling to copy through highly structured, long, or repeat sequences. This results in whole stretches of RNAs that never get copied into cDNA and therefore never make it into sequencing libraries. UltraMarathonRT solves this problem. It is a group II intron encoded RT that, due to its intrinsic helicase activity, is inherently ultraprocessive and faithfully copies each RNA end-to-end in a single pass at ambient temperatures.

Compared to leading retroviral reverse transcriptase kits, the UltraMarathonRT cDNA Synthesis & Amplification Kit delivers:

• Enhanced detection of genes, isoforms, and retained introns: uMRT dramatically improves reverse transcription of low-abundance and structurally complex RNAs, enabling the capture of transcripts and retained introns that often go undetected using retroviral RT kits.
• Superior gene quantification, particularly for long transcripts: The ultra-processive and high-fidelity reverse transcriptase in UltraMarathonRT ensures full-length cDNA synthesis and amplification performance, facilitating more accurate quantification of long genes.
• Broad compatibility with short-read RNA-seq workflows: UltraMarathonRT integrates seamlessly with standard Illumina^®-style platforms and library prep protocols, making it a versatile drop-in solution for researchers involved in differential expression studies, biomarker discovery, intron retention analyses, splice isoform mapping, and more.

UltraMarathonRT is now commercially available in major markets worldwide, with flexible kit sizes designed for pilot studies through to high-throughput workflows. Custom OEM and bulk packaging options are also available for large-scale and core facility users.