News | January 27, 2005

Applied Biosystems Introduces New Version Of The Human Genome Survey Microarray

Applied Biosystems (NYSE:ABI), an Applera Corporation business, today announced the release of the new Human Genome Survey Microarray V2.0 for use with the Applied Biosystems Expression Array System, a component of Applied Biosystems' comprehensive solution for gene expression analysis that allows researchers to easily move from whole-genome analysis to single gene validation.

Based on a combination of the public and Celera Genomics databases, computational annotation, and manual curation, the new Human Genome Survey Microarray V2.0 contains an additional 2,180 annotated genes to total 29,098 genes identified. Approximately 33,000 probes are utilized on the microarray and result in over 8,000 genes not covered by any other commercial microarray.

"Since the initial probe design of the Applied Biosystems Human Genome Survey Microarray, Applied Biosystems has further refined its genome annotation," said Carl Hull, Vice President and General Manager, Real-Time PCR and Microarray Systems. "The annotation process, defining gene structure and splice variants, is of paramount importance for the identification of biologically relevant genes. Thus, the additional manual curation performed by our scientists has enabled us to identify new genes and remove invalidated ones."

"Applied Biosystems is the only company that provides a total solution for gene expression analysis, enabling gene discovery through our highly sensitive Expression Array System and then subsequent validation on our gold-standard, TaqMan(R) Low Density Array and Gene Expression Assay platforms," said Catherine M. Burzik, President, Applied Biosystems. "This integrated workflow provides scientists a simple, yet highly accurate and reproducible way to assure that they have identified and validated genes with potential biological relevance."

The Applied Biosystems Expression Array System is a highly sensitive gene expression detection system. It detects more genes and achieves more than a 10-fold increase in sensitivity while using less sample for the detection of genes expressed at very low levels, compared with conventional fluorescent microarrays. The system uses a chemiluminescence-detection instrument, software, and chemistries to deliver unambiguous gene results that are highly sensitive and reproducible.

The Expression Array System is designed as part of an integrated workflow solution for gene expression analysis. The system enables researchers to easily move from whole-genome analysis to gene validation, quantification, and functional analysis by using the Expression Array System in conjunction with the Applied Biosystems TaqMan(R) Gene Expression Assays, TaqMan(R) Low Density Array, real-time PCR systems, and Celera Discovery System(TM) Online Platform in conjunction with the PANTHER(TM) Protein Classification System.

Once microarray results are generated by the Applied Biosystems Expression Array System, researchers can directly link to TaqMan(R) Gene Expression Assays to facilitate validation of microarray results, quantification of transcripts, and investigation of alternative splicing. Equipped with an Oracle(R) database providing annotation of genes based on Celera Genomics and public database annotation, customers are also provided information on these genes based on the Applied Biosystems PANTHER(TM) Protein Classification System, which classifies both their molecular functions and biological processes.