Gene-Sequence Scanner Analyzes More Data

The new GeneChip scanner (GCS) 3000 7G allows the analysis of microarrays that feature 500% more data than previous generations.

With the ability to scan smaller features, ranging in size from 2.5 µm to 0.51 µm, the new scanner supports the latest high-density GeneChip microarrays for tiling, all-exon, and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping research. The new scanner is the product of Affymetrix, Inc. (Santa Clara, CA, USA). It is designed to provide peak scanning performance for all operations, including RNA expression and DNA analysis. The scanner is compatible with data from previous experiments using GeneChip microarrays as well as other instruments and software of Affymetrix.

Specific features of the GCS 3000 7G include a new dual processor workstation and software updates for processing and analyzing up to five times as much data per experiment, and an improved autofocus algorithm for scanning standard-size 49-format microarrays 30% faster than the original GSC. In addition, a patented scanning system called the Flying Objective provides image uniformity and accuracy. High-numerical-
aperture optical architecture provides consistent excitation and emission paths over the entire scan field.

"We designed the original GCS 3000 to be forward-compatible, requiring only a simple upgrade to support the next-generation of high-density microarrays that develop as GeneChip technology continues to advance,” observed Chip Leveille, vice president of Product Technologies Group, Affymetrix.




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