Affymetrix set to ship human genome chip
researchers the protein-coding content of the human genome on a
single microarray.
Affymetrix said it is now taking orders for its new GeneChip brand Human Genome U133 Plus 2.0 Array, offering researchers the protein-coding content of the human genome on a single microarray. The product is due to start shipping later this month and will cost $300-$500 per chip, depending on sales figures.
The HG-U133 Plus 2.0 Array analyses the expression level of nearly 50,000 RNA transcripts and variants with 22 different probes per transcript, providing superior data quality unmatched by technologies using a single probe per transcript, according to the company.
"With about 1.3 million probes on a chip the size of a human thumbnail, the Human Plus Array represents a leap in array technology data capacity," said Trevor Nicholls, Affymetrix' chief commercial officer.
The chip has more than double the data capacity of Affymetrix' previous-generation chip, which means it can speed processing and analysis time for scientists. It contains nearly 10,000 new probe sets representing about 6,500 new genes, for a total of nearly 50,000 RNA transcripts and variants.
"Multiple independent measurements for each transcript ensure that our data quality remains the industry standard, even as our data capacity increases dramatically," said Nicholls.
The new array uses 22 independent measures to detect the hybridisation of each transcript on the array, 1.3 million data points in all, and more than 30 times that of any other microarray technology, according to Affymetrix. Nicholls added that:
"More data points produce more reliable results and ultimately, enable better science,"
Affymetrix will be presenting further information on this and other products at the BioTechnica trade show in Hanover, Germany on 7-9 October.
