What Is a Gen-Probe Test?

Gen-Probe makes testing equipment for a variety of medical needs.

Founded in 1983, Gen-Probe is a San Diego, California-based company which employs approximately 1,300 people (as of January 2011). The company specializes in molecular diagnostics and was the recipient of the 2004 National Medal of Technology. Gen-Probe makes testing materials for a variety of conditions in a number of medical fields.

Service Areas

Gen-Probe's key product and service areas include women's heath, prostate oncology, transplant diagnostics and blood screening. They also have tests for infectious and molecular diseases.

Cancer Screens

In 2010, Gen-Probe unveiled a urine test to screen for prostate cancer. The PCA3 test, presented at the American Urological Association in San Francisco, California in June 2010 is reported to have a lower false positive rate than much more intrusive biopsies.

Equipment Platforms

In addition to testing, Gen-Probe developed instrumentation platforms including hardware and software platforms specially designed for health care and biotech labs. The company also provides DNA extraction and purification kits for laboratory environments.

References

• Gen-Probe: Corporate Overview
• Gen-Probe: Products and Services
• Xconomy: Gen-Probe Prostate Cancer Test Looks Promising by Denise Gellene, June 9, 2010