Introducing HCR™ Pro RNA-ISH for Manual Workflows: Extreme-sensitivity RNA imaging with chromogenic or fluorescent staining

We're thrilled to introduce a manual-optimized version of the class-redefining HCR™ Pro RNA-ISH – a powerful assay designed for detecting targets in the most extreme scenarios, such as difficult sample types or low-expression contexts. Designed for flexibility and ease-of-use, our manual workflow delivers the core benefits of HCR™ Pro while offering enhanced control and adaptability for custom workflows.

High Sensitivity Driven by Enzymatic Amplification

HCR™ Pro incorporates an enzymatic signal amplification mechanism, providing a significant boost in sensitivity compared to direct-amplification methods like HCR™ Gold. Though this requires a sacrifice to multiplex capabilities, it is especially useful when working with: 

• Low abundance targets for which signal strength is paramount
• Challenging samples such as FFPE tissue sections, archival samples, or specimens with high levels of autofluorescence or pigmentation

Compatible with Brightfield or Fluorescence Imaging

HCR™ Pro supports flexible imaging modes, offering compatibility with a range of experimental needs: 

• Brightfield imaging reduces imaging time, streamlines data analysis, and eliminates the need for advanced fluorescence hardware – making RNA-ISH more accessible for a broader range of labs. This is also a strong option for researchers working with samples prone to autofluorescence or pigmentation.
• Fluorescence imaging, using any TSA-conjugated fluorophore, is ideal for high-resolution, multiplex workflows with immunofluorescence. This mode enables precise transcript localization and integrates smoothly into any fluorescence-based imaging pipeline – supporting downstream analyses like spot quantification.

With both major imaging modes supported, HCR™ Pro can easily adapt to different instrumentation and scientific goals.

HCR™ Pro or HCR™ Gold? Choosing the Right Assay

MI currently offers two high-performance RNA-ISH assays – HCR™ Pro and HCR™ Gold – both built around our robust HCR™ HiFi Probe architecture and HCR™ amplification technology. The right choice depends on the goals of your experiment.

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HCR™ Gold, our direct amplification platform for fluorescent multiplexing, supports parallel detection of up to 10 targets in any sample. It's ideal for profiling gene panels and studying expression patterns across multiple transcripts.

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HCR™ Pro is available as a 1-plex assay focused on extreme sensitivity, crafted for situations in which sample quality, background interference, or expression levels limit detection.

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Here's a quick comparison to help you decide which is the right fit: 

Try Manual HCR™ Pro RNA-ISH with a Free Starter Kit! 

We're providing complimentary Starter Kits for manual HCR™ Pro featuring our Matisse® chromogens for brightfield imaging. For those planning to use fluorescence, the assay is compatible with any TSA-conjugated fluorophore – just plug-and-play with your existing setup.

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For more information or questions, visit our website or reach out to our Support Team. We're always happy to help find the right solution for each experiment.