High-Density Arrays Evaluated for Disease Analysis

High-density arrays will be evaluated as a preparative tool for sequencing and genome-wide detection of copy number variation (CGH). These new technologies for clinical genetic testing are believed to provide significant advantages over current methods.

Roche Diagnostics, Ltd. (Burgess Hill, UK) announced that they will support the Oxford Comprehensive Biomedical Research Center (OxBRC), a partnership between the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS (UK National Health) Trust (Oxford, UK) and University of Oxford (UK), in the development of solutions enabling improved genetic and cytogenetic testing. Using the next-generation sequencing technology of 454 sequencing and high-density arrays of Roche NimbleGen, the Oxford BRC will work on improved solutions for the analysis of genetic diseases.

The Oxford BRC aims to take traditional investigation and use it for patients at the point-of-care (POC). aClinically documented samples for selected diseases will be tested in three areas: sequencing of several genes known for private familial mutations (454 Sequencing), mutation screening in a large number of genes (454 Sequencing and NimbleGen Sequence capture arrays), and identification of genes and regions with genomic imbalances (NimbleGen CGH arrays).

Manfred Baier, head of Roche Applied Science, said, "We are very interested to further evaluate the potential of our technologies for medical applications. During the last few years we have seen many publications in high-ranking scientific journals that illustrate impressively the potential of 454 Sequencing and NimbleGen arrays in analyzing diseases.”


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Roche Diagnostics
University of Oxford