COMPARATIVE genomic hybridisation plus single nucleotide polymorphism microarray analysis is now being offered by Wicell, a non-profit organisation and leading distributor of human pluripotent stem cells, using the Agilent SurePrint G3 Human Genome CGH+SNP microarray.
Unlike previous assays that required comparative genomic hybridisation (CGH) and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) to be performed separately, the CGH+SNP microarray detects copy number changes by both techniques.
The assay simultaneously delivers copy-neutral change information such as loss or absence of heterozygosity, says Agilent, and maintains the resolution quality achieved with CGH-only microarrays using probes optimised and validated for maximum sensitivity and specificity.
“WiCell’s experience and know-how in cytogenetic analysis and its large CGH dataset for embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells makes it an ideal partner for Agilent’s robust detection technology”, said Kathleen Shelton, senior director of genomics marketing at Agilent.
Dr Anita Bhattacharyya, a senior scientist at University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Waisman Centre, is an early user of the service. “In my research into Down’s Syndrome research, I needed to rule out loss of heterozygosity in order to publish my research. I was very happy with WiCell; the 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.”