UC-Davis Investigates Human Disease Genetics with OpenArray™ System
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BioTrove, Inc. has announced that the University of California, Davis School of Medicine will use the BioTrove OpenArray™ technology platform to explore genetic variations in common human diseases.
Led by Michael F. Seldin, M.D., Ph.D., Rowe Chair of Human Genetics, researchers at UC-Davis are utilizing an OpenArray NT Imager to conduct single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping of large community-based patient cohorts, with the goal of identifying genetic variations linked to disease susceptibility.
"To better understand the genetic variation of disease and its links to human ancestry, we have embarked on a study using tens of thousands of patient samples," said Dr. Seldin. "These studies will provide the ability to both look at whether ancestry is linked to disease, as well as to better design experimental studies in admixed populations such as African Americans and various Hispanic groups."
"Finding a possible link is a first and vital step toward broader research leading to better treatment," he continued.
"Now, with the OpenArray platform enabling faster, more cost-effective analysis of large patient populations and hundreds of SNPs, we can conduct research that was previously untenable - helping UC-Davis pave the way for scientists in academic, medical and industry settings across the nation to identify the most promising ways to fight disease," Dr. Seldin added.
Acoording to BioTrove, OpenArray technology enables researchers to confirm associations in very complex diseases. OpenArray allows researchers to analyze SNPs across tens of thousands of patient samples - dramatically expanding study size and data significance.
A single OpenArray plate holds as few as 16 or as many as 3072 separate assays, which can be run against 48-144 samples per plate. Since the OpenArray NT Imager can process three OpenArray plates at once, it can generate more than 9000 data points in less than 10 minutes, ultimately generating over 100,000 data points per day with a single employee.
"A significant issue facing researchers today is securing access to efficient, precise and cost-effective SNP genotyping technologies," said Albert Luderer, Ph.D., president and CEO, BioTrove.
"Our commitment is to enable research centers such as the UC-Davis School of Medicine to conduct innovative, large-scale research projects like Dr. Seldin's, unlocking the possibilities to improving public health. BioTrove is excited that an outstanding group of scientists are combining their know-how with our technologies," he continued.
