Oxford, UK – 23rd August 2011. Oxford Gene Technology (OGT), provider of innovative clinical genetics and diagnostic solutions to advance molecular medicine, has today announced a new range of CytoSure™ Molecular Testing Arrays and Panels. The new DNA microarrays utilise a unique collection of probes for detecting copy number variations (CNVs) within genes associated with a variety of disorders. Three defined arrays are available covering autism and mental retardation, in-born metabolic disorders and neuromuscular dystrophy. Custom arrays can also be created by combining any of the probe sets, allowing users to specify designs that meet their experimental needs. The arrays, which have been designed in collaboration with leading molecular genetics experts at the Emory University School of Medicine, provide cost-effective testing in a flexible format, generating data that is easy to analyse using OGT’s industry-leading CytoSure Interpret Software.
Each gene on a CytoSure Molecular Testing Array is targeted via multiple exon-specific probes, thereby increasing the resolution and accuracy of CNV detection. If required, multiple diseases can be screened on a single customised array. This simplifies the workflow and reduces the time and cost of processing large, diverse sample sets.
The probes for each gene have been selected from OGT’s proprietary Oligome™ database, which contains over 23 million oligonucleotide probes optimised in silico. CytoSure Molecular Testing Arrays and Panels utilise 60 mer oligonucleotide probes in an 8 x 60k and 4 x 180k format, which has been shown to offer higher signal-to-noise ratios through increased specificity and sensitivity. Each array has been verified by Emory University School of Medicine using the CytoSure Genomic DNA Labelling Kit, ensuring there are no gaps in gene coverage and that each probe performs optimally. Further experimental validation has been performed by Emory researchers, thereby maximising the reliability and accuracy of the system. Dr Madhuri Hegde, Scientific Director at Emory Genetics Lab and assistant professor at the university and leader of the academic side of the project, commented: “Our work requires a high level of accuracy combined with in-built flexibility. OGT has the experience and expertise required to optimise the design of microarrays, which is why we chose to partner with them when developing these testing panels for use in our research.”
James Clough, OGT’s Vice President of Clinical and Genomic Solutions, said: “OGT’s new CytoSure Molecular Testing Arrays and Panels greatly simplify disease-related CNV detection. The accuracy of the approach, as well as the ease of analysis offered by OGT’s CytoSure Interpret Software, means that aberrations as small as a few kilobases can be reliably detected. The extensive automatic annotation generated by the software includes information on related syndromes, genes, exons, CNV and recombination hotspots. This provides context, turning results into insights.”
For more information about OGT’s CytoSure services and products visit www.ogt.co.uk.
For further information, please contact:
Oxford Gene Technology, Begbroke Science Park,
Sandy Lane, Yarnton, Oxford OX5 1PF
T: +44 (0) 1865 856826 ; F: +44 (0) 1865 848684 ; E: products@ogt.co.uk
W: www.ogt.co.uk
About Oxford Gene Technology
Founded by Professor Ed Southern, Oxford Gene Technology (OGT) provides innovative clinical genetics and diagnostic solutions to advance molecular medicine. www.ogt.co.uk.
Clinical & Genomic Solutions: OGT’s Genefficiency™ is a unique combination of world-leading platforms, people, processing power and performance synchronised to deliver rapid, high-quality genomic data to customers worldwide. OGT’s CytoSure™ cytogenetics array, labelling and interpretation software products and services provide a complete solution for the detection of chromosomal abnormalities. Together, Genefficiency and CytoSure offer a unique, standardised and integrated solution for cytogenetics research.
Biomarker Discovery: OGT delivers tailored biomarker discovery solutions that optimise drug and diagnostic development programmes. With expertise in genomic and proteomic diagnostic biomarkers, OGT provides highly specific customised biomarker panels for cancer and other diseases, both for direct sale and also for collaboration with partner companies.
CytoSure™: For research use only
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.
