Affymetrix Launches Automated Target Preparation and Microarray Processing System
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Affymetrix has launched the GeneChip Array Station, an automated target preparation and microarray processing system, which according to the company, increases accuracy and lowers the total cost per sample for large-scale studies.
Affymetrix has launched the GeneChip Array Station, an automated target preparation and microarray processing system, which according to the company, increases accuracy and lowers the total cost per sample for large-scale studies. The new system enables scientists to accelerate discovery, publication, and bring new tests and therapies to market more quickly by improving data consistency and decreasing the hands-on time needed to perform experiments.
Additionally, the GeneChip Array Station, which was co-developed with Caliper Life Sciences, enables large academic institutions, central processing facilities and pharmaceutical companies to increase the scope and scale of research projects without requiring additional manpower. The automated Array Station allows one person to prepare the same number of targets as four people could accomplish manually. The hands-on time for target preparation is reduced from approximately 12 hours to two hours, which results in a lower cost per sample.
"After using the Affymetrix GeneChip Array Station for the past eight months, we have been able to meet what would previously have been impossible deadlines," said Anna Kelly, research scientist, Genomics/Proteomics at Chiron. "The automated target preparation has allowed us to process 70 percent more samples than we could have done before with the same amount of support staff, and also allowed us to start other projects ahead of schedule."
The Affymetrix Array Station is scalable to address both current and future research requirements. It features an upgraded Caliper Sciclone liquid-handling workstation and an on-board Twister II plate handler for fast start-up and easy operation. The complete system includes flexible instrumentation, Affymetrix-proven GeneChip microarrays, optimised assays and reagents, as well as open software architecture. While optimised for use with the current GeneChip cartridges, it also features built-in capabilities that will allow it to process high throughput (HT) array plates. Commercially available later this year, the HT plates will offer GeneChip arrays in a standard 96-well format, enabling researchers to interrogate up to 96 distinct samples at one time.
"This more efficient automated target preparation and microarray processing system is allowing scientists to extend their research beyond small pilot genetic and genomic experiments," said Sejal Sheth, senior business manager at Affymetrix. "The Affymetrix GeneChip Array Station makes larger studies possible, helping to accelerate academic and pharmaceutical research and ultimately, improving health care by providing doctors with better therapies and more personalised medicine."
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