Affymetrix launches microarray-based analysis system for cytogenetics

8 April 2009

Affymetrix, Inc. (Nasdaq: AFFX) has launched its next-generation series of products for cytogenetics. The new system, which includes arrays, reagents, and software, enables fast and reliable detection of known and novel chromosome aberrations.

“We worked closely with the cytogenetics community to develop these products,” said Jay Kaufman, vice president of product marketing at Affymetrix. “We identified critical and high-demand features specific to cytogenetics studies, and leveraged our proven microarray platform to develop products that delivered those features. Then, we streamlined and simplified workflows and protocols from sample preparation to data analysis to help ensure success of all users—both those who have prior microarray experience and those who are new to the technology.”

The next-generation Affymetrix Cytogenetics system brings comprehensive microarray-based genetic analysis capabilities to a broader range of scientists than ever before, delivering high-value, customer-focused benefits, including confidence, simplicity, and flexibility.

The new system delivers consistently high performance for discovery and detection of chromosome aberrations, so users can be highly confident in the results. With development guided by cytogeneticists, the products are targeted to the specific needs of users.

The Affymetrix Cytogenetics Whole-Genome 2.7M Array and Cytogenetics Focused Array include copy number (CN) and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) content to identify loss of heterozygosity (LOH), uniparental disomy (UPD), and regions identical-by-descent.

With the Whole-Genome 2.7M Array, users can detect the broadest range of known and novel chromosome aberrations that affect phenotype. The array provides unbiased, whole-genome coverage with 2.7 million markers, including 400,000 SNPs, to offer superior resolution and enable detection of even the smallest structural changes and regions of autozygosity.

The Focused Array includes more than 330,000 markers to enable efficient detection of aberrations within focused regions of known cytogenetic importance. At the same time, it maintains a backbone of markers at 16 kb spacing to provide whole-genome coverage. Both arrays offer dense coverage of cytogenetic hot spots, including haploinsufficiency genes, cancer genes, and regions associated with microdeletion syndromes.

The new Affymetrix Cytogenetics Assay has been simplified and streamlined. Tedious polymerase chain reaction (PCR) steps and restriction digests have been eliminated to save users time and money, reduce operator error, and deliver reliable results from one run to the next. In fact, the entire assay requires only three hours of hands-on time.

“We are confident that our next-generation solution offers cytogenetists the best overall approach for discovery and detection of chromosome aberrations,” said Frank Witney, chief commercial officer at Affymetrix. “No other set of commercial catalog products offers the combination of high-resolution, cytogenetics-specific, and whole-genome CN and SNP content, a streamlined and simplified assay protocol, and software that offers almost unlimited options for data visualization, analysis, and reporting.”

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