Agilent Announces Cogenics as its First Certified Service Provider for miRNA Microarrays

Agilent Technologies, Inc., and Cogenics, a division of Clinical Data, Inc. have announced that Cogenics is the first Certified Microarray Service Provider for Agilent’s microRNA (miRNA) microarrays.

With this certification Cogenics becomes the initial service provider to offer expression profiling of miRNA on the Agilent platform, giving scientists in research institutions and drug discovery programs immediate access to this tool for understanding gene regulation.

Cogenics, a global provider of pharmacogenomics and molecular biology services to the life sciences community, received the certification after its laboratory completed training and passed a rigorous set of assessments that included proficiency in analyzing Agilent 60 mer oligo microarrays using the complete Agilent system: sample quality control using the Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer; sample labeling using Agilent reagents and protocols; hybridization using SureHyb chambers; microarray analysis using the Agilent scanner and feature extraction software; and final data analysis using the GeneSpring bioinformatics platform.

According to Agilent, this certification ensures customers will receive superior microarray processing and data with regards to quality, reproducibility, and reliability.

“We’re pleased to be the first Agilent Certified Service Provider for this platform as miRNA is generating a great deal of interest within the academic and drug discovery research communities. There were significant scientific and quality hurdles to overcome and area expertise required for Cogenics to receive this certification from Agilent. Our achievement continues to demonstrate Cogenics’ leadership capabilities in this and related areas. The addition of this service to the comprehensive Cogenics product and services portfolio furthers our commitment to provide scientists with the most cutting edge and advanced range of services in the industry,” said Robert Bondaryk, Ph.D., Senior Vice President and General Manager of Cogenics.

“We’ve enjoyed a long, productive relationship with Cogenics as an Agilent Certified Microarray Service Provider for gene expression and CGH, and we congratulate Cogenics on expanding their portfolio of emerging applications offered to researchers,” said Yvonne Linney, Agilent vice president and general manager, Genomics.