Illumina Introduces SNP-Based Linkage Panel for High-Throughput Genetic Mapping
Unprecedented Multiplex Levels Enable Low Genotyping Pricing and Fast Turnaround
SAN DIEGO--(BW HealthWire)--June 13, 2002--Illumina, Inc. announced today that it has developed a set of over 2,300 assayed SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) markers that will be deployed on the Company's BeadArray(TM) platform to provide linkage analysis for genotyping service customers. The markers were assembled from the SNP Consortium (an industry partnership) panel, supplemented by new loci to provide enhanced frequency, distribution and coverage across the human genome, and then optimized for accuracy and multiplex assay performance.
The use of genetic linkage panels is expected to grow as researchers look to genotype samples from multiple generations of the same family. SNP markers can help locate genetic regions that might be associated with specific diseases. Follow-on fine mapping studies could then be conducted for more detailed exploration of chromosomal regions to identify SNPs or groups of SNPs located in or near genes of interest.
According to Jay Flatley, Illumina President and CEO, "Concurrent with the development of our new linkage panel, we have scaled our assay technology to levels exceeding 1,000 multiplexed loci -- starting in sample preparation and continuing through amplification and analysis -- while obtaining accuracy levels above 99%. Genotyping customers will benefit from extremely low sample and reagent volume requirements, higher throughput, lower cost per call, and very fast linkage-study turnaround times."
Illumina (Nasdaq: ILMN; www.illumina.com) is developing next-generation tools that permit large-scale analysis of genetic variation and function. The Company's proprietary BeadArray technology will provide the throughput, cost effectiveness and flexibility necessary to enable researchers in the life sciences and pharmaceutical industries to perform the billions of tests necessary to extract medically valuable information from advances in genomics and proteomics. Parties interested in Illumina's linkage panel and genotyping services may visit www.illumina.com/nrSNP for additional information. |
