RAA · Recombinase-Aided Amplification

Isothermal nucleic acid testing. Results in 5–15 minutes.

RAA amplifies a target sequence at a constant 37–42 °C inside a single lyophilised tube. No thermal cycler, no liquid master-mix, no specialist operator — read the fluorescence curve on a portable analyzer, in the lab or on site.

Request a Quote How RAA works
5–15 minTime to fluorescence result
37–42 °CIsothermal · no thermal cycler
1 % (w/w)LOD · animal-species kits
10³ cfu/mLLOD · foodborne pathogen kits
Technology · RAA

Recombinase-Aided Amplification: an isothermal alternative to PCR

RAA is the isothermal amplification platform behind every ZC Bioscience reagent. All kits are developed and manufactured in-house and supplied as ready-to-use lyophilised pellets.

A recombinase obtained from bacteria or fungi binds tightly to the primer DNA at ambient temperature, forming a recombinase–primer complex. When the primer locates its fully complementary sequence on the template, single-stranded DNA-binding protein helps open the double strand, and DNA polymerase synthesises a new complementary strand. The product accumulates exponentially.

With a labelled fluorescent probe the reaction is read in real time; a fluorescence result is typically available within 5–15 minutes. RAA can also be multiplexed — two or more primer pairs in one reaction amplify several targets simultaneously, saving reagents and cost.

Food safetyMeat-species authenticationGMO screeningAquaculture pathogensAnimal diseaseEnvironmental monitoring
  1. 01 · BIND
    Recombinase–primer complex formsRecombinase loads onto the 30–35 bp primer at room temperature.
  2. 02 · SCAN
    Template is scanned for a perfect matchThe complex invades double-stranded DNA and pairs with its complementary sequence.
  3. 03 · OPEN
    SSB holds the strands apartSingle-stranded binding protein stabilises the opened template — no heat denaturation.
  4. 04 · EXTEND
    Strand-displacing polymerase copies the targetNew strands become templates; product grows exponentially at 37–42 °C.
  5. 05 · READ
    Probe cleavage releases fluorescenceReal-time curve on the Genchek analyzer, or gel / lateral-flow strip readout.
Six advantages

Simple operation

Two-step workflow: extract, then add sample to the tube. Molecular-level testing that does not require specialist staff.

Fast

Fluorescence results in 5–15 minutes — truly rapid testing, with a full run completed in 15 minutes.

Accurate

High sensitivity and specificity — the recombinase–primer complex recognises the target sequence by base pairing.

Portable

Compact instruments suited to field conditions and on-site inspection — the analyzer weighs 3.8 kg.

Isothermal

Runs at 30–42 °C (optimum 37–39 °C). No thermal cycler or other expensive equipment required.

Lyophilised

Freeze-dried pellets: ready to use, easy to ship, no pipetting loss and no freeze–thaw damage.

Platform comparison

RAA vs PCR vs LAMP

Typical values for a single-target fluorescence assay. RAA combines a single primer pair with a lyophilised, constant-temperature reaction.

ParameterRAAPCRLAMP
EnzymesRecombinase, SSB, strand-displacing DNA polymeraseTaq DNA polymeraseStrand-displacing DNA polymerase
Temperature37–39 °C, constantHigh, thermal cycling60–65 °C, constant
Time15 min1.5 h40 min
Primer pairs112
FormatLyophilised pelletLiquidLiquid
ReadoutReal-time fluorescence; gel; lateral-flow stripGel; real-time fluorescenceVisual turbidity
Drawback—Slow; thermal cycler requiredAerosol contamination, false positives
Solutions

Three RAA workflows for food-safety laboratories

Each solution pairs lyophilised RAA kits with the Genchek analyzer: 5–15 minutes to result, no thermal cycler, read directly from the amplification curve. All kits are for research use only.

Raw beef and pork cuts on a board
01 · Meat species authentication

Animal-derived ingredient detection

As price gaps between meats widen, species substitution and adulteration are increasingly common. RAA species kits detect species-specific genes with no cross-reaction between species, identifying meat origin at the molecular level in animal tissue, blood, foods, processed meat and feed.

10 targets
ChickenPorkDuckBeefSheep / goatRatHorseMinkFoxDonkey
Limit of detection1 % (w/w) adulteration
Time to result5–15 min
View kits
Gloved technician transferring a sample into a petri dish in a clean bench
02 · Foodborne pathogens

Pathogen detection in foods, beverages and cosmetics

Pathogenic bacteria account for an estimated 40–50 % of reported foodborne-illness cases in China each year. RAA pathogen kits combine multi-channel detection, short run times and high sensitivity — raising throughput and moving food-safety warnings earlier.

9 targets
S. aureusSalmonellaP. aeruginosaL. monocytogenesHaemolytic StreptococcusV. parahaemolyticusShigellaE. coli O157:H7V. cholerae
Limit of detection10³ cfu/mL
Method referenceGB 4789 series · SN/T
View kits
Blue DNA double helix rendering
03 · GMO screening

Transgenic element and event detection

Regulators worldwide require labelling and control of GM material to protect consumers' right to know. RAA GMO kits specifically detect exogenous elements and events in crops and agricultural products, identifying GM material at the molecular level.

6 screening elements
BtbarhptCaMV 35S promoterFMV 35S promoternos terminator
Event-specific kitsSoybean, maize, canola
Time to result5–15 min
View kits

Typical users — regulators: food and drug administrations, customs and border inspection, livestock authorities, agricultural research institutes, public-health laboratories. Industry: food, feed, dietary-supplement and cosmetics manufacturers, and third-party testing laboratories.

Products · 29 catalogue items

Reagents, extraction kits and instruments for the RAA workflow

Five product lines. Reagents are lyophilised, stored at −20 °C and supplied for research use only (RUO). Request a quote for pricing, lead time and documentation.

6 kits8-tube strip with lyophilised RAA pellets
01 · RAA core amplification kits

RAA enzyme reagents (RUO)

Universal amplification chemistry for your own primers and probes. Over 10⁷-fold amplification of the target; 30 min at 30–42 °C yields a gel-detectable product; fluorescent kits read in 5–20 min. 48 tests per kit, 50 µL reaction, 12-month shelf life at −20 °C. Primers 30–35 bp, probes 46–52 bp.

Cat. no.ProductTemplateReadoutTemp.
S001ZCRAA Basic Nucleic Acid Amplification Kit (RUO)DNAAgarose gel37 °CRequest a Quote
S002ZCRAA Fluorescent Nucleic Acid Amplification Kit (RUO)DNAReal-time fluorescence37–39 °CRequest a Quote
S003ZCRT-RAA Basic Nucleic Acid Amplification Kit (RUO)RNAAgarose gel37 °CRequest a Quote
S004ZCRT-RAA Fluorescent Nucleic Acid Amplification Kit (RUO)RNAReal-time fluorescence37–39 °CRequest a Quote
S005ZCRAA-nfo Nucleic Acid Amplification Kit, lateral-flow strip (RUO)DNALateral-flow strip39 °CRequest a Quote
S006ZCRT-RAA-nfo Nucleic Acid Amplification Kit, lateral-flow strip (RUO)RNALateral-flow strip42 °CRequest a Quote
InstrumentGenchek isothermal fluorescence analyzer with 8-well block and touchscreen
02 · Isothermal fluorescence analyzer

Genchek Isothermal Fluorescence Analyzer

An integrated, portable analyzer for on-site and mobile testing. Built-in reagent mixing, fully matched to RAA reagents; dual fluorescence channels (FAM & ROX) for up to 16 targets per run; live amplification curves; automatic data analysis and report generation with multiple export routes. All assays run under one software interface.

Throughput8 wells × 2 channels
ChannelsFAM / ROX
Temperature rangeAmbient to 65 °C, ±0.5 °C
Net weight3.8 kg
Dimensions (L×W×H)255 × 240 × 123 mm
Power supplyAC 100–240 V, 50/60 Hz · 120 W
Request a QuoteTechnical support
4 kitsGloved hand holding an 8-tube strip of reagent pellets
03 · Rapid nucleic acid extraction

Rapid extraction kits (RUO)

Purpose-built to yield RAA-ready nucleic acid from animal tissue, blood, meat products, plant tissue, seeds, bacteria, swabs and feed. No hazardous solvents, low cross-contamination risk. Store at room temperature, dry; 12-month shelf life.

Cat. no.ProductMethodTimeSize
ND01ZCRapid DNA Extraction Reagent (RUO)Heat lysis; no organic extraction, no ethanol precipitationHeat lysis5 min50 prepsRequest a Quote
ND02ZCUniversal Rapid DNA Extraction Kit, spin column (RUO)Lyse – bind – wash – eluteSpin column15 min50 prepsRequest a Quote
ND03ZCUniversal Rapid RNA Extraction Kit, spin column (RUO)Four steps to high-quality RNASpin column10 min50 prepsRequest a Quote
ND06ZCMagnetic-Bead DNA Extraction Pre-filled Plate (RUO)For automated magnetic-bead extractors; high-throughput batchesMagnetic beads25 min96 prepsRequest a Quote
17 kitsMagnifying glass over a DNA strand
04 · Food safety molecular detection series

Target-specific RAA fluorescent kits (RUO)

Ready-to-run lyophilised kits for the Genchek-I / Genchek-II analyzers and standard real-time PCR instruments (ABI, MJ, Roche, Bioer series). 30–42 °C (optimum 37–39 °C), 5–15 minutes, result read directly from the amplification curve — no electrophoresis. 24 tests per kit; −20 °C, 6-month shelf life.

A · Animal-derived ingredient · LOD 1 %10 kits
  • Chicken-Derived Ingredient Detection Kit (RAA, fluorescent) (RUO)A101ZC
  • Duck-Derived Ingredient Detection Kit (RUO)A102ZC
  • Pork-Derived Ingredient Detection Kit (RUO)A103ZC
  • Bovine-Derived Ingredient Detection Kit (RUO)A104ZC
  • Sheep & Goat-Derived Ingredient Detection Kit (RUO)A105ZC
  • Rat-Derived Ingredient Detection Kit (RUO)A106ZC
  • Horse-Derived Ingredient Detection Kit (RUO)A107ZC
  • Mink-Derived Ingredient Detection Kit (RUO)A108ZC
  • Fox-Derived Ingredient Detection Kit (RUO)A109ZC
  • Donkey-Derived Ingredient Detection Kit (RUO)A110ZC
B · Foodborne pathogen · LOD 10³ cfu/mL7 kits
  • Staphylococcus aureus Molecular Detection Kit (RAA, fluorescent) (RUO)B201ZC
  • Salmonella Molecular Detection Kit (RUO)B202ZC
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa Molecular Detection Kit (RUO)B203ZC
  • Listeria monocytogenes Molecular Detection Kit (RUO)B204ZC
  • Haemolytic Streptococcus Molecular Detection Kit (RUO)B205ZC
  • Vibrio parahaemolyticus Molecular Detection Kit (RUO)B206ZC
  • Shigella Molecular Detection Kit (RUO)B207ZC

E. coli O157:H7 and Vibrio cholerae kits (RUO): available on request.

C · GMO screening · elements & eventsOn request

Element kits (RUO): hpt, Bt, nos terminator, CaMV 35S promoter, FMV 35S promoter, bar. Event kits (RUO): GM soybean GTS 40-3-2 and MON89788; GM maize MON810 and Bt11; GM canola T45 and Oxy-235. 24 tests per kit.

Request a QuoteSee solutions
Instrument · image to follow
05 · Fully automated isothermal system

Genchek Fully Automated Isothermal Nucleic Acid Detection System

Sample in, result out in about 30 minutes. One instrument performs quantitative pipetting, sample lysis, nucleic acid purification, isothermal amplification, fluorescence detection, analysis and reporting — load the sample and the system does the rest.

Run time~30 min, sample-in / result-out
Sample throughput1 sample per run
ChannelsFAM / ROX
Interface7-inch colour touchscreen
Weight · dimensions16 kg · 260 × 325 × 420 mm
Pipetting accuracy>98 % (<15 µL) to >99 % (>50 µL)
Request a Quote
Services

Support from first run to custom target

Our R&D team answers every product question with patient explanation and demonstration, and provides long-term technical documentation and support.

Technical service

Expert technical support

Consultation, technical documentation, training and protocol guidance — from the two-step workflow (50 mg sample, 70 °C for 10 min; 45.5 µL Buffer A, 2.5 µL Buffer B, 2 µL nucleic acid) to instrument set-up.

After-sales

Long-term after-sales service

Our engineers respond promptly and resolve issues remotely by e-mail, online or by phone (+86 571 8861 9668, Mon–Fri 9:00–18:00 UTC+8); where an on-site visit is needed, we agree the arrival time with you.

Custom development

Custom assay development

RAA is a versatile, portable rapid-testing platform that can replace LAMP or PCR in many workflows. We develop custom RAA assays for new targets and supply OEM reagents on request — contact us to discuss your target.

Partnership

Co-developing RAA detection kits with partners in several fields

ZC Bioscience has signed strategic cooperation agreements with government institutions and research organisations to co-develop RAA-based detection kits. Our products are continuously improved; more products for new applications are on the way.

Discuss a custom target
Two scientists standing beneath a large DNA helix model
Company

Hangzhou ZC Bio-Sci & Tech Co., Ltd.

ZC Bioscience is an R&D-driven biotechnology company based in Hangzhou, China. We develop and apply Recombinase-Aided Amplification (RAA), an isothermal nucleic acid amplification technology, and supply RAA-based reagents, extraction kits and portable fluorescence instruments for rapid molecular testing. All reagents are for research use only.

Since September 2016 the company has accelerated product development for RAA-based rapid food-safety testing, launching in turn the animal-species (meat authentication) molecular detection series, the foodborne pathogen molecular detection series and the GMO ingredient molecular detection series. Other application areas include environmental monitoring, aquaculture pathogen detection and animal disease detection.

Selected for the Hangzhou Binjiang District "5050 Talent Program" and cultivated by the district as a key enterprise, we remain committed to advancing RAA technology and delivering rapid-testing products that are fast, accurate and easy to use.

500 m²Laboratory space · plus 400 m² offices
RMB 12 M+Installed R&D and production equipment
90 %+R&D team with master's degree or higher
5050Binjiang District Talent Program · key enterprise
Molecular laboratory with instruments and a technician at a workstation
Molecular laboratory · Hangzhou
Technician operating equipment at a lab bench
Reagent production
Technician pipetting inside a biosafety cabinet
Biosafety cabinet · assay set-up
Clean-room corridor with an observation window
Clean-room corridor
News

Conferences, explainers and literature

Where RAA has been presented, and background reading on recombinase-aided amplification.

Literature

Rapid nucleic acid amplification by Recombinase-Aided Amplification

In-vitro rapid amplification enables trace nucleic acids to be amplified efficiently outside the cell. Recombinase-aided amplification is an isothermal method developed on existing amplification principles — a published literature summary of the RAA approach.

Explainer

Recombinase-aided rapid nucleic acid amplification

RAA replaces the thermal-cycling denaturation step of conventional PCR with a recombinase, single-stranded binding protein and DNA polymerase, allowing rapid amplification at a constant 37 °C. Over the past decade several isothermal methods — SDA, TMA, HDA, LAMP and RAA — have developed rapidly.

Highlights

RAA technology debuts at the Food Microbiology Detection & Control Exchange

The 7th Food Microbiology Detection and Control Technology Exchange was held in Shanghai on 20–22 July 2017, running 17 themed sessions on detection technology, methods and laboratory design, with over 30 exhibitors and 300+ laboratory professionals attending.

Forum

7th Food Microbiology Detection & Control Technology Exchange, 19–22 July

Foodborne disease caused by pathogenic microorganisms is the number-one food-safety issue. Controlling contamination, strengthening laboratory capability and applying advanced detection technology have become focal concerns for regulators and food companies alike.

Conference

ZC Bioscience at the 10th China International Food Safety & Quality Conference

The annual CBIFS food-safety technology forum was held on 7–8 April 2017 at the Hangzhou International Expo Center. ZC Bioscience, a newcomer to food-safety testing, made its debut with a portable rapid-testing case combining the Genchek analyzer and RAA kits.

Contact · Request a quote

Tell us your target, sample type and volume

We reply within two working days with pricing, lead time, documentation and shipping options.

Company
Hangzhou ZC Bio-Sci & Tech Co., Ltd.
Address
Tianhe Hi-Tech Park, Bldg 5, 688 Bin'an Rd, Binjiang District, Hangzhou 310052, China
Hours
Mon–Fri 9:00–18:00 (UTC+8)
Reagents are for research use only. We do not supply products for diagnostic procedures.
Design ref: Together AI