WiCell Teams with Agilent Technologies

Agilent Technologies Inc. and WiCell have announced that WiCell is now offering comparative genomic hybridization plus single nucleotide polymorphism microarray analysis using the Agilent SurePrint G3 Human Genome CGH+SNP Microarray.

Unlike previous assays that required performing CGH and SNP separately, the CGH+SNP Microarray detects copy number changes by both SNP and CGH, and simultaneously delivers copy-neutral change information such as loss or absence of heterozygosity.

The assay maintains the high-resolution quality achieved with CGH-only microarrays, using probes that have been carefully optimized and validated for maximal sensitivity and specificity.

“WiCell’s considerable experience and know-how in cytogenetic analysis and their large CGH dataset for embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells, partners well with Agilent’s technology to enable robust detection capabilities vital for research and commercial development,” said Kathleen Shelton, senior director of genomics marketing at Agilent.

Anita Bhattacharyya, Ph.D., senior scientist at University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Waisman Center, understands firsthand the value of WiCell’s CGH+SNP microarray service: “In my Down syndrome research, I needed the ability to rule out loss of heterozygosity in order to publish my research. I was very happy with my interactions with WiCell; their level of expertise and understanding of what I needed was exceptional. Ultimately, through running the SurePrint CGH+SNP microarray, WiCell allowed me to confidently produce the data within a compressed timeline.”