Affymetrix To Release Axiom Array Plates Optimized for NIH-funded Genotyping Study of 100,000 People
August 01 2011 - 4:55AM
Business Wire
Affymetrix, Inc. (NASDAQ: AFFX) today announced plans to
commercialize four Axiom® population-optimized arrays used to
analyze 100,000 samples collected from volunteers in one of the
nation’s largest and most diverse genomics projects funded by the
National Institutes of Health (NIH). Each Axiom genotyping array is
optimized for the major populations, including those from European,
East Asian, Latino, and African ancestry. Affymetrix tailored the
design of the Axiom Array Plates for each population by using rare
variants from several sources, including the 1000 Genomes Project,
so they will provide a more informative and cost-effective solution
for genome-wide scan and replication studies of previously
identified disease risk factors and genetic traits.
In the study’s first peer-reviewed paper, published in the
journal of Genomics, scientists detailed the design and performance
metrics of the new arrays, which are the latest addition to the
Axiom Solution that runs on the GeneTitan® System. “Preliminary
results … demonstrate very high-quality genotypes, with sample
success rates above 94 percent and over 98 percent of successful
samples having [single nucleotide polymorphisms] SNP call rates
exceeding 98 percent,” wrote researchers. “At steady state, we have
produced 462 million genotypes per week for each Axiom system. The
new array provides a valuable addition to the repertoire of tools
for large scale genome-wide association studies.”1
“This program is a fine example of how our Axiom technology
enables rapid design and delivery of high-quality genotyping
arrays,” said Andy Last, PhD, Affymetrix Chief Commercial Officer.
“Axiom array plates and the GeneTitan Multi-channel (MC) Instrument
helped to accelerate this important study and we’re excited to make
them available now to all research scientists who are working to
improve the quality of health and medical care.”
Affymetrix leveraged validated SNPs and insertion and deletion
(in/del) polymorphisms from its Axiom® Genomic Database to maximize
genome-wide coverage, especially for rare variants in each of the
major U.S. populations, including individuals of single and mixed
ancestry. Additionally, SNPs were selected to provide coverage down
to one percent minor allele frequency in gene regions or SNPs
previously identified as disease associated from prior genome wide
association studies (GWAS). Moreover, SNPs of high importance,
based on confirmed traits or disease associations, were derived
from several sources, including NHGRI GWAS database, Human Genome
Epidemiology (HuGE) Navigator, Pharmacogenetics Knowledge Base
(PharmaGKB), Pharmacogenetics Membrane Transporter (PMT) database
and candidate SNPs from literature. Variants have been selected to
target specific diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer,
and many other health conditions for which reliable associations
have been found with specific variants.
The complete Axiom® Genotyping Solution includes four Axiom®
Genome-Wide Array Plates, the European (EUR), East Asian (EAS),
Latino (LAT), and African American (AFR). The Axiom EUR Array Plate
will be commercially available in August, the remaining plates
later in 2011. Each array plate is offered in the 96-well format
with the new Axiom® 2.0 Reagent Kits, an automated target
preparation station, along with the GeneTitan MC Instrument and the
new Genotyping Console™ 4.1 for automated allele calling and
quality control.
The Axiom arrays were developed with scientists at the
University of California, San Francisco, to support the large-scale
genotyping project with funding from the NIH.
About Affymetrix
Affymetrix technology is used by the world's top pharmaceutical,
diagnostic, and biotechnology companies, as well as leading
academic, government, and nonprofit research institutes. More than
23,700 peer-reviewed papers have been published using the
technology. Affymetrix is headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif., and
has manufacturing facilities in Santa Clara, Cleveland, Ohio, and
Singapore. The company has about 900 employees worldwide and
maintains sales and distribution operations across Europe, Asia,
and Latin America. For more information about Affymetrix, please
visit http://www.affymetrix.com.
Forward-looking statements
All statements in this press release that are not historical are
“forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of
the Securities Exchange Act as amended, including statements
regarding Affymetrix’ “expectations,” “beliefs,” “hopes,”
“intentions,” “strategies” or the like. Such statements are subject
to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to
differ materially for Affymetrix from those projected. These and
other risk factors are discussed in Affymetrix’ Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2010, and other SEC reports for subsequent
quarterly periods.
NOTE: Affymetrix, the Affymetrix logo, GeneChip, GeneTitan, and
Genotyping Console are trademarks or registered trademarks of
Affymetrix, Inc.
1 Hoffmann JT, et al. “Next generation genome-wide association
tool: Design and coverage of a high-throughput European-optimized
SNP array.” Genomics, 2011 Apr 30.
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