BlueGnome Launches Application Specific SNP Microarray Platforms

BlueGnome, now offers two SNP microarray formats to simultaneously detect copy number imbalance at high resolution and LOH/UPD (loss of heterozygosity/uniparental isodysomy) in the same assay.

It is not possible to detect copy number neutral LOH/UPD using standard array CGH (comparative genomic hybridization).

Well known conditions, such as, Prader-Willi syndrome, Angelman syndrome, Zellweger syndrome and Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome can therefore be missed without a SNP specific assay. Copy neutral LOH or acquired UPD is also important in cancer.

BlueGnome now supplies the CytoChip SNP 4x180K microarray for investigation of constitutional samples, based on the international standard ISCA design, plus SNP specific probes that enable 10 Mb LOH detection.

For cancer sample investigation, the CytoChip Cancer SNP 4x180K includes a gene enriched design for copy number imbalance, plus SNP probes that detect on average 5 Mb LOH. BlueGnome intends to extend the range of SNP array designs available in the future.

Nick Haan, BlueGnome’s CEO, said, “The new SNP platforms can be fully incorporated into the CytoChip workflow with very little modification to laboratory practice or to analysis, allowing customers to incorporate the new assays with ease. Microarrays that detect LOH are a welcome addition to our product range.”