Agilent Technologies Introduces Microarray and Software for Comparative Genomic Hybridization Studies in Cancer Research.PALO ALTO Palo Alto, city, California Palo Alto (păl`ō ăl`tō), city (1990 pop. 55,900), Santa Clara co., W Calif.; inc. 1894. Although primarily residential, Palo Alto has aerospace, electronics, and advanced research industries. , Calif. -- Products Enable Researchers to Conduct Genome-Wide Analyses of Chromosomal Changes in Cancer Cells cells once believed to be peculiar to cancers, but now know to be epithelial cells differing in no respect from those found elsewhere in the body, and distinguished only by peculiarity of location and grouping. See also: Cancer Agilent Technologies This article needs sources or references that appear in reliable, third-party publications. Alone, primary sources and sources affiliated with the subject of this article are not sufficient for an accurate encyclopedia article. Inc. (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange :A) today introduced its Human Genome The human genome is the genome of Homo sapiens, which is composed of 24 distinct pairs of chromosomes (22 autosomal + X + Y) with a total of approximately 3 billion DNA base pairs containing an estimated 20,000–25,000 genes. CGH CGH Comparative Genomic Hybridization CGH Changi General Hospital (Singapore) CGH Computer-Generated Hologram CGH Community General Hospital (Syracuse, NY) Microarray and CGH Analytics software to help cancer biologists and cytogeneticists study genomic alterations in cancer. Comparative genomic hybridization hybridization /hy·brid·iza·tion/ (hi?brid-i-za´shun) 1. crossbreeding; the act or process of producing hybrids. 2. molecular hybridization 3. (CGH) is used to study the chromosomal changes that frequently occur in cancer cells, including the loss or duplication of regions of chromosomal DNA DNA: see nucleic acid. DNA or deoxyribonucleic acid One of two types of nucleic acid (the other is RNA); a complex organic compound found in all living cells and many viruses. It is the chemical substance of genes. . Agilent's microarray-based CGH solution enables researchers to rapidly explore chromosomal changes on the same platform they would use to study gene expression changes. This will help researchers more quickly identify new oncogenes oncogenes 1. genes carried by tumor viruses that are directly and solely responsible for the neoplastic transformation of host cells. Many oncogenes function after integration into the DNA of the host cell and some up-regulate normal downstream host cell genes to cause neoplasia. , tumor suppressor genes tumor suppressor gene n. A gene that suppresses cellular proliferation. When inherited in a mutated state, it is associated with the development of various cancers, including most familial cancers. Also called antioncogene. , drug targets and biomarkers in drug discovery research and future applications such as disease sub-classification and diagnostics. Agilent will be hosting a series of e-seminars to help researchers learn how to implement this powerful technique. The Agilent Human Genome CGH Microarray The Agilent Human Genome CGH Microarray (G2519A) provides genome-wide coverage with an emphasis on the most commonly studied genomic coding regions and cancer-related genes. It includes 40,000 probes that span the human genome with an average spatial resolution (Data West Research Agency definition: see GIS glossary.) A measure of the accuracy or detail of a graphic display, expressed as dots per inch, pixels per line, lines per millimeter, etc. It is a measure of how fine an image is, usually expressed in dots per inch (dpi). of approximately 75 kb, including coding and noncoding sequences. It includes one probe per gene for RefSeq and Genbank Known Genes and three probes for each of approximately 1,100 known cancer genes of importance. The remaining probes are distributed to cover the rest of the genome, with an emphasis on less well known and predicted gene sequences from public databases. Designed specifically for CGH experiments, this microarray delivers CGH performance superior to microarrays designed for gene expression (see PNAS PNAS Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences PNAS Phosphate:Na + Symporter PNAS Pensacola Naval Air Station PNAS Philippine National Airsoft Society , vol. 101, no. 51). Using 60-mer oligonucleotide probes, the microarray provides very high sensitivity, enabling researchers to reliably identify both highly localized and broadly extended single copy deletions, homozygous ho·mo·zy·gous adj. Having the same alleles at one or more gene loci on homologous chromosome segments. Homozygous Identical genes controlling a specified inherited trait. gene deletions and amplicons. The gene-focused content of the Agilent CGH array facilitates comparison of CGH and gene expression data so that researchers can correlate genomic copy number changes with gene expression changes. Agilent's array-CGH solution requires only 25 nanograms of total genomic DNA genomic DNA n. The full complement of DNA contained in the genome of a cell or organism. to detect chromosomal changes across the entire genome. By comparison, scientists using other oligo microarrays have typically needed to use 10 times more DNA and significantly reduce the complexity of their genomic samples, usually by amplifying only specific DNA regions. The use of total genomic DNA improves experimental design and ease of use. The Agilent CGH Analytics Software Agilent's CGH Analytics software (G4175AA) provides a visual environment for exploring array-CGH data. Based on technology developed in Agilent Labs, it uses information visualization theory to leverage visual perception as a means to find interesting patterns in data. The software provides: --Simultaneous visualization of multiple CGH microarray profiles. --User-selectable calibration for comparison of profiles. --Statistical measures to detect aberrant regions. --Plug-ins for determining optimum intervals of statistical aberrations from single or multiple samples. --Simultaneous chromosome plotting at multiple zoom levels. --Preloaded gene annotation information from the most recent genome builds. --Text and Graphical Aberration Summary reports, exportable for publications and presentations. The software operates on a standard laboratory PC desktop with the Microsoft(R) Windows(R) operating environment. It is designed with a convenient plug-in architecture for data import and interface with third-party data analysis tools and displays. Quality Control for CGH Experiments Agilent also provides quality control capability for all stages of the array-CGH workflow using the Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer and associated LabChip kits. The DNA 7500 or 12000 LabChip kits can be used to check DNA digestion and labeling efficiency and to infer the quality of array data. Compared to gel electrophoresis, the Bioanalyzer uses less sample while providing digital results at higher resolution, reproducibility and automation. An experimental protocol for array-CGH quality control using the Bioanalyzer is available online at www.chem.agilent.com/scripts/Library.asp?OPT=OL. E-Seminars and More Information Agilent will be hosting a series of e-seminars to help researchers learn about and implement microarray-based CGH experiments. The first of these, "Comparative Genomic Hybridization Using Oligonucleotide Microarrays and Total Genomic DNA," is already available online. Upcoming e-seminars include:
-- Feb. 2, 2005: "Interpreting the Consequences of Gene Gain and
Loss"
Dr. Michael Bittner
Director, Molecular Diagnostics and Target Validation Division
Translational Genomics Research Institute, TGen
-- Feb. 28, 2005: "Practical Considerations for Evaluating
Array-CGH Results"
Scott Vacha, Ph.D., Agilent Technologies
Customers can register for and access these e-seminars at: www.agilent.com/chem/eseminars-genomics. More information about Agilent's CGH solution is available at www.agilent.com/chem/goCGH, from your local sales representative, or by e-mailing cag_sales-na@agilent.com. More information about Agilent's microarray and informatics products is available at www.agilent.com/chem/dna. About Agilent Technologies Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) is a global technology leader in communications, electronics, life sciences and chemical analysis. Agilent had net revenue of $7.2 billion in fiscal year 2004. Information about Agilent is available on the Web at www.agilent.com. Microsoft and Windows are U.S. registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. NOTE TO EDITORS: Further technology, corporate citizenship Corporate Citizenship The extent to which businesses are socially responsible in meeting legal, ethical and economic responsibilities placed on them by shareholders. The aim it to create higher standards of living and quality of life in the community in which it operates, while and executive news is available on the Agilent news site at www.agilent.com/go/news. |
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