Oxford Gene Technology Ltd. Releases New CytoSure™ Microarray for Research Into Haematological and Solid Cancers

Oxford, UK – 25 March 2013. Oxford Gene Technology (OGT), provider of innovative genetics research and biomarker solutions to advance molecular medicine, has released a new microarray to improve the accuracy and efficiency of cancer research. The CytoSure™ Cancer +SNP array (4x180k) combines long oligo array comparative genomic hybridisation (aCGH) probes with fully validated single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) content, providing the superior detection of both copy number variations (CNVs) and loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on a single chip. The array has been optimised in collaboration with Professor Jacqueline Schoumans from the Lausanne University Hospital in Switzerland, an expert in both aCGH and cancer genomics. Unique to the proprietary CytoSure™ Cancer +SNP array, any reference sample can be used for analysis without changes to the standard aCGH protocol and, thanks to novel SNP probe chemistry, no restriction digest is required. The capacity to use matched samples is a particular advantage for research into genetic aberrations in cancer, enabling any constitutional abnormalities to be filtered out.

Professor Schoumans commented: “The development of a new microarray with the capacity to detect both CNVs and LOH simultaneously was vital for improving the efficiency and quality of our research. By working very closely with the technical experts at OGT, we have constructed a new array that allows users to simultaneously screen a wide genomic background for CNVs and LOH, while also enabling in-depth CNV analysis on 1500 known cancer-associated genes. This approach produces accurate and insightful data, with all aberrations clearly highlighted and filtered using OGT’s excellent CytoSure Interpret Software.”

The 60-mer oligonucleotide probes utilised in the array provide a high signal-to-noise ratio and highly sensitive detection; this makes them ideal for research into complex malignant tissues. Thanks to OGT’s CytoSure Interpret Software, data analysis is rapid, reliable and simple to carry out, including updated features, such as the B-allele frequency plot, that have been optimised for the identification of biologically relevant genomic variants in tumour samples.

James Clough, Executive Vice President Commercial at OGT, said: “The new CytoSure™ Cancer +SNP array forms part of OGT’s ongoing strategy to design specialised microarrays to help increase our understanding of cancer formation and development. We plan to further add to this portfolio in the coming months, with the introduction of our Cancer Cytogenomics Microarray Consortium (CCMC) array design. By offering both genome-wide CNV and SNP detection, these arrays will prove a valuable tool for efficiently and accurately defining the genetic nature of a given tumour, facilitating research into more efficacious, targeted treatments.”

For more information on the full range of OGT’s solutions for cytogenetic research, please visit www.ogt.com/cancer.

For further information, please contact:

Oxford Gene Technology, Begbroke Science Park, Begbroke Hill, Woodstock Road, Begbroke, Oxfordshire, OX5 1PF, U.K.

T: +44 (0) 1865 856826; F: +44 (0) 1865 848684; E: contact@ogt.com

W: www.ogt.com ; Twitter: @OxfordGeneTech

About Oxford Gene Technology

Founded by Professor Ed Southern, Oxford Gene Technology (OGT) provides innovative genetics research and biomarker solutions to advance molecular medicine. The company has two trading businesses: Genomic Solutions comprises of CytoSure™ cytogenetics array, labelling and interpretation software products and services for the detection of chromosomal abnormalities, and Genefficiency™ Genomics, a unique combination of platforms, expertise and processing capabilities to deliver rapid, relevant genomic data. The Biomarkers business utilises proprietary next generation technologies to build a rich patent-protected portfolio of promising biomarkers for early stage cancer detection including advanced programmes in colorectal and prostate cancer plus the autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus.

CytoSure™ and Genefficiency™ NGS browser: For Research Use Only; Not for Use in Diagnostic Procedures CytoSure: This product is provided under an agreement between Agilent Technologies, Inc., and OGT. The manufacture, use, sale or import of this product may be subject to one or more of U.S. patents, pending applications, and corresponding international equivalents, owned by Agilent Technologies, Inc. The purchaser has the non-transferable right to use and consume the product for RESEARCH USE ONLY AND NOT for DIAGNOSTICS PROCEDURES. It is not intended for use, and should not be used, for the diagnosis, prevention, monitoring, treatment or alleviation of any disease or condition, or for the investigation of any physiological process, in any identifiable human, or for any other medical purpose.

Back to news