Agilent introduces human copy number variation microarrays for study
of diseases
23 April 2009
Agilent Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:A) has introduced the Human CNV
Association 2x105K microarray for studying associations between genomic
copy number variations (CNV) and disease.
The array is based on a design by the Wellcome Trust Case Control
Consortium (WTCCC), which is conducting the world’s largest study of
CNVs and their relationships to a number of widespread disorders.
“This array design is enriched for approximately 11,000 previously
identified CNV locations along the genome,” said Chris Grimley, Agilent
senior marketing director, Genomics. “The result is a highly validated,
cost-effective CNV association tool, and we’re very pleased to be making
it commercially available to the wider research community.”
In August 2008, the WTCCC selected Agilent to manufacture the
microarrays for the landmark CNV study; this commercial product is a
result of that relationship. This array is the latest extension of
Agilent’s CNV and similar comparative genomic hybridization (CGH)
microarray portfolio, Agilent’s fastest-growing product area.
“We have used the Agilent 2x105K array for characterizing common
structural variants in several different disease cohorts over the last
several months,” said Dr Matthew Hurles of the Wellcome Trust Sanger
Institute. “Our preliminary estimate is that approximately 20 to 30% of
the loci on the array are both polymorphic in our British-population
study and provide sufficient data quality to assign integer copy numbers
to individuals.”
As the name indicates, the Agilent Human CNV Association 2x105K is
configured with two microarrays per 1 in. x 3 in. slide, each array
containing 105,000 probes. Agilent’s 60 mer, high-fidelity optimized
probes deliver unsurpassed sensitivity and precise copy number
detection. The comprehensive design of this array results in more calls
with fewer data points because of targeted content in high-confidence
CNV regions.
New labelling kit cuts costs, boosts throughput
Agilent also introduced the Genomic High-Throughput Universal Linkage
System (ULS) Labeling Kit, along with the Genomic DNA 96-Well
Purification Module. The new kit is four times faster, easier to
automate with fewer steps and, depending on array format, can reduce
labeling cost-per-experiment by as much as 60 percent.
The labeling kit generates Cy-labeled genomic DNA targets for use
with Agilent CNV and CGH microarrays. It utilizes Kreatech’s ULS
technology to label genomic DNA isolated from tissue, cells, blood or
formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) samples. This non-enzymatic
labeling method directly labels genomic DNA with fluorescent dyes,
bypassing challenges presented by degraded samples.
The Agilent Genomic High-Throughput ULS Labeling Kit accommodates up
to 48 samples and the Genomic 96-well Purification Module allows for
simultaneous cleanup of 96 reactions, thus significantly improving the
workflow compared to individual purification columns. Together these
kits expand Agilent’s bioreagent offering and position the workflow for
future robotic automation.
“We are very pleased that Agilent has selected our ULS labeling and
purification technology, which we custom-tailored for high-throughput
use in a 96-well format suited for automation,” said Harald Berninger,
vice president of sales and marketing, Kreatech Diagnostics, the OEM
supplier of the Agilent kits.
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