dnature was started in 2009 to provide consulting services for those developing PCR and real-time qPCR assays. In 2010 the company expanded to include the distribution of products in these fields.
Technical director of dnature, John Mackay, has over 15 years experience in developin
g PCR assays and has been developing and optimising real-time PCR assays for more than 10 of these. Over the past few years John has developed diagnostic qPCR assays and DNA/RNA extraction methods for a range of applications, including truffle speciation, wine spoilage yeast and bacteria quantification and plant pathogen detection. He has developed a number of multiplex qPCR assays, including the detection of 5 grapevine viruses plus internal control in the one reaction.
In 2008-9 he developed a novel duplex hydrolysis ('TaqMan') probe assay for Avocado Sunblotch Viroid (ASBVd) that was used to declare country of freedom for New Zealand, from this dangerous pathogen.
John also has a special interest in high resolution melting analysis and has designed a number of genotyping SNP assays using both amplicon and probe (unlabelled and snapback) formats. He has developed and published a DNA fingerprinting method using the high resolution melting of microsatellites and is currently collaborating with experts in the USA on extending the use of this application. John previously held a range of positions for Roche Applied Science and so brings a strong sales and technical support background to dnature.
The major drive of the testing applications for dnature is using DNA methods to help solve issues facing various industries (DNA in a range of nature = dnature). New qPCR applications continue to be developed - the most recent being rapid tests to differentiate the 2010 strains of kiwifruit Psa (Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae). Further work is progressing. . .
RECENT PUBLICATIONS:
MACKAY J.F. and Wittwer C.T. (2011). High Resolution Melting Analysis. In PCR Troubleshooting and Optimization: The Essential Guide. Horizon Press.
Gladding P., MACKAY J., Webster M., White H., Ellis K., Lee M., Kasabov N. & Stewart R. (2010). Longitudinal study of a 9p21.3 SNP using a national electronic healthcare database. Future Medicine 7(4): 361-369
Bell V.A., Bonfiglioli R.G., Walker J.T., Lo P.L., MACKAY J.F. and McGregor S.E. (2009). Grapevine Leafroll-associated Virus 3 Persistence in Vitis vinifera remnant roots. J. Plant Path. 91(3): 527-533
MACKAY J.F., Wright C.D., Bonfiglioli R.G. (2008). A new approach to varietal identification in plants by microsatellite high resolution melting analysis: application to the verification of grapevine and olive cultivars. Plant Methods. May 19;4:8.
Mackay I.M., MACKAYJ.F., Nissen M.D., and Sloots T.P. (2008). Real time PCR: History and Fluorogenic Chemistries. In Real-time PCR in Microbiology: from Diagnosis to Characterisation. Ed: Mackay I.M., Caister Academic Press, UK.
Beld M.G.H.M et al. (2008) Experts' roundtable: Real-time PCR and microbiology. In Real-time PCR in Microbiology: from Diagnosis to Characterisation. Ed: Mackay I.M., Caister Academic Press, UK.
MACKAY J., Landt O. (2007). Real-time PCR fluorescent chemistries. Methods Mol. Biol. 353:237-261.
MACKAY J. (2007). Introduction to Real-time (kinetic) PCR. Methods Mol. Biol. 353: 167-176