SANTA CLARA, Calif., and MADISON, Wis., Dec. 4, 2012 – Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) and WiCell, a world leader in the cytogenetic testing of mouse and human embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells, today 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.”
Learn more about WiCell’s CGH+SNP microarray service at www.wicell.org/cytogenetics.
About WiCell
WiCell, founded in 1999, is recognized as a world leader in the field of human embryonic stem cell and induced pluripotent stem cells. Serving as the host of the U.S. National Stem Cell Bank from 2005-2009, WiCell built extensive expertise in the banking, characterization and cytogenetic testing of human pluripotent stem cells. WiCell opened the Wisconsin International Stem Cell Bank in 2010 and continues to be the world’s leading distributor of human pluripotent stem cells. WiCell is a nonprofit organization, an affiliate of the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation and a supporting organization to the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Visit www.wicell.org for more information.
About Agilent in Genomics
Agilent Technologies Inc. is a global leader in target enrichment for next-generation sequencing and genomic microarrays. The Agilent SureSelect and HaloPlex Target Enrichment Systems enable researchers to easily choose which segments of a genome to sequence, avoiding the time and expense needed to sequence the entire genome. HaloPlex and its same-day sample-to-sequencer workflow is well suited for next-generation desktop sequencers, whereas SureSelect’s ability to accurately capture whole exomes and whole methylomes in a single reaction pairs well with high-throughput next-generation sequencing systems. These are just two products arising from Agilent’s expertise in synthesizing custom complex mixtures of long oligonucleotide gained in microarray manufacturing. Additional product lines built on this core technology include microarrays for genome-wide measurement of gene expression and for comparative genomics hybridization, as well as SureFISH, a highly specific and sensitive oligonucleotide fluorescent in situ hybridization product line. In addition to oligonucleotide-based products, Agilent offers a microfluidic bioanalyzer to measure sample quality, a target enrichment tool to speed next-generation sequencing, and a full set of reagents, hardware, methods and bioinformatics software for genomic experiments.
About Agilent Technologies
Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) is the world’s premier measurement company and a technology leader in chemical analysis, life sciences, diagnostics, electronics and communications. The company’s 20,500 employees serve customers in more than 100 countries. Agilent had revenues of $6.9 billion in fiscal 2012. Information about Agilent is available at www.agilent.com.
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