Duke and Affymetrix in Genomic Alliance

A five-year translational research collaboration has been announced by Duke University (Durham, NC, USA) and Affymetrix, Inc. (Santa Clara, CA, USA), whereby Duke researchers will use the GeneChip High-Throughput (HT) system and arrays of Affymetrix to perform large-scale clinical studies that could lead to new diagnostics and screening tests.

The Affymetrix technology will enable the researchers to more rapidly discover RNA and DNA patterns that can classify diseases, especially cancer and cardiovascular disease. As part of the agreement, Affymetrix will fund research and clinical projects that could lead to new applications of the GeneChip platform.

"By combining our research expertise with Affymetrix' High-Throughput microarray technology, we have the opportunity to build on our prior work and develop gene expression profiles that characterize oncogenic pathways and define tumor phenotypes, which are important in determining clinical outcomes,” said Joseph Nevins, Ph.D., director of the IGSP Center for Applied Genomics & Technology at Duke.

"Affymetrix is excited to be working with a leading research organization such as Duke University to help bring more effective personalized tests and therapies to market faster,” observed Gregg Fergus, senior vice president, global sales operations, at Affymetrix.

The GeneChip microarray technology of Affymetrix helps researchers tailor treatments for individual patients by identifying and measuring the genetic information associated with complex diseases. The translational medicine program complements the Powered by Affymetrix program that enables companies to license GeneChip technology to develop innovative microarray products.




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