Illumina Launches Human Genome RefSet Oligos for Spotted Gene Expression Microarrays
Wednesday February 5, 10:01 am ET
New Oligo Reference Set to Feature Publicly Available Sequence Information and Industry-Leading Pricing
SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 5, 2003-- Illumina, Inc. (Nasdaq: ILMN - News) announced today the introduction of RefSet(TM) Oligos for the Human Genome, a new whole-genome oligo reference set designed and optimized for spotted gene expression microarrays. The new oligo set was developed in collaboration with academic researchers to establish rigorous criteria for gene selection and probe design, and to conduct sensitivity and target specificity performance testing of the finished product. Sequence information for the new set will be fully disclosed and freely available.
The RefSet human genome product contains 22,740 70-mer oligonucleotide probes targeting 20,726 well-characterized genes detailed in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) Human Reference Sequence (RefSeq) database. Included is a subset of probes designed to interrogate alternative splice variants of over 1,300 genes that express multiple mRNA isoforms.
According to Jay Flatley, Illumina President and CEO, "The new human genome set represents the first of a series of standard product offerings in our Oligator(TM) product line. In addition to high product quality and publicly available access to probe sequences, Illumina has priced the new RefSet oligos at $39,000 per set, less than half that of some competing offerings. Consistent with our strategy in SNP genotyping and custom DNA synthesis, Illumina is leveraging throughput and manufacturing cost efficiencies to deliver high value to the genomics community and help lower the cost of large-scale biological experimentation."
Oligo-based gene expression profiling is growing quickly as researchers look for reproducible and high-sensitivity methods to take the place of cDNA-based approaches. Sequence information for RefSet oligos will be posted on Illumina's website and made freely available to all interested parties. This "open platform" will enable the evaluation of probe design and sequence selection, and comparison with alternative approaches.
Illumina (www.illumina.com) is developing next-generation tools that permit large-scale analysis of genetic variation and function. The Company's proprietary BeadArray(TM) technology provides the throughput, cost effectiveness and flexibility 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. This information will help pave the way to personalized medicine. |
