DNAprint Genomics (DNAG)

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Agilent PR from 27Oct2005:

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http://www.genengnews.com/news/bnitem.aspx?name=1091033XSL_NEWSML_TO_NEWSML_WEB.xml


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Agilent Technologies Launches Next-Generation DNA Microarray Manufacturing Process to Drive Emerging Applications
10/27/2005 4:00:00 PM EST

Higher Feature Density, Combined with Sensitivity and Flexibility, Are Key to Delivering New Microarray Assays, Lowering Costs

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE:A) today announced a next-generation DNA microarray manufacturing process that increases feature density more than fourfold in 2006 and potentially greater than tenfold in 2007. This move is part of Agilent's growing push to develop microarray applications that augment traditional gene expression analysis and enable researchers to answer previously intractable biological questions.

The new microarray printing technology, a higher-performance version of Agilent's proprietary ink-jet-based in situ fabrication method, is currently producing single-array microarrays with 95,000 and 185,000 features on standard 1" x 3" glass slides. Agilent is also using the new manufacturing process to print microarrays containing eight arrays per slide. Multiple-array slides containing user-defined content enable scientists to analyze focused gene sets, biological pathways or chromosomal regions at significantly lower cost per array, using a more automated workflow. Agilent's current single-array microarrays have 44,000 features. The company's next-generation microarrays, in single- as well as multiple-array slide formats, will be available in the second quarter of 2006.

"Density is important to the ChIP-on-chip work we do," said Richard Young, Ph.D., of the Whitehead Institute. "In our laboratory the new Agilent microarrays are boosting productivity by letting us cover the same genomic regions faster and with less expense compared with the previous generation. The higher feature density complements the Agilent platform's very high sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio as well as its well-known flexibility of content. All of this makes this platform particularly well suited to emerging applications."

"Agilent's ink-jet manufacturing process produces the highest sensitivity microarrays in the industry and offers unparalleled content flexibility," said Mike Booth, general manager, Genomics business, Agilent Integrated Biology Solutions. "These two advantages, combined with higher feature densities, will place us in a unique position to deliver both a broad range of new applications as well as lower microarray costs to life science researchers."

Agilent's higher-density microarrays will be available as standard catalog products as well as user-designed custom microarrays for a range of genomic applications including gene expression studies, comparative genomic hybridization (CGH), ChIP-on-chip and splice variant analysis. The high-density capability will benefit these as well as future applications by providing a more practical path to whole genome experiments.

In addition, by pairing higher density with Agilent's unique ability to ink-jet-print custom microarray content in multiple-array slide formats, the company will enable more automated workflows and significantly reduce the cost of microarray experiments. This will make high-quality commercial microarrays accessible to customers who previously could not afford them. The flexibility of Agilent's microarray printing technology is delivered to customers through the company's eArray Web site, earray.chem.agilent.com/earray.

"Scientists are increasingly exploring multiple applications and want to validate gene expression data with other types of data," continued Booth. "Agilent has aggressively augmented our informatics portfolio in recent months to facilitate this multi-application trend, and our new, higher-density microarray capability further supports this approach."

In addition to increased feature density, the enhanced ink-jet printing provides improved spot placement accuracy and further optimized synthesis uniformity. This enables features to be synthesized closer together than on the previous generations of microarrays with minimal impact on feature size. The 95,000 and 185,000 feature microarrays are therefore compatible with existing experimental protocols without the need for Agilent customers to make further capital investment in a new scanner.

More information about microarrays is available at www.agilent.com/chem.

About Agilent in Genomics

Agilent is a leading worldwide provider of microarray-based, genomics research solutions. Agilent's end-to-end solution includes reagents for sample preparation and microarray processing; hardware for sample QC and high-throughput microarray scanning; 60-mer oligo microarrays on industry-standard 1" x 3" glass slides for gene expression; comparative genomic hybridization and chromatin immunoprecipitation applications; custom microarray design services; and industry-leading GeneSpring and Rosetta software products for data analysis.

About Agilent Technologies

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE:A) is the world's premier measurement company and a technology leader in communications, electronics, life sciences and chemical analysis. The company's 28,000 employees serve customers in more than 110 countries. Agilent had net revenue of $7.2 billion in fiscal year 2004. Information about Agilent is available on the Web at www.agilent.com.

NOTE TO EDITORS: Press releases, photography and other information can be accessed on the Agilent Life Sciences and Chemical Analysis newsroom at www.agilent.com/about/newsroom/lsca.

Further technology, corporate citizenship and executive news is available on the Agilent news site at www.agilent.com/go/news.

CONTACT:
Agilent Technologies Inc. Stuart Matlow, 408-553-7191 [e-mail]

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