MADISON, WI–April 11, 2005—NimbleGen
Systems Inc. announced today the launch of microarray-based Comparative
Genomic Hybridization (CGH) products and services for the detection
of DNA copy number changes on the whole-genome level or at ultra-high
resolution using fine-tiling arrays for selected chromosomal regions.
NimbleGen will feature their array CGH platform during the American
Association for Cancer Research (AACR) National Meeting Exhibition
April 16 - 20, 2005.
Array CGH is a widely used technique for cancer
research and the identification of chromosomal abnormalities associated
with congenital developmental disorders. A change in DNA copy
number results when part or all of a chromosome is amplified or
deleted. Such alterations, which can range in size from a few
hundred to several million base pairs, frequently occur in multiple
regions on the same chromosome or across multiple chromosomes.
Cancer researchers currently use array CGH to identify sets of
copy number changes associated with a particular cancer or its
severity and to develop not only diagnostic tests but also new
drug therapies. Two common classes of genes, tumor suppressors
and oncogenes, play a role in cancer initiation and progression
through their deletion or amplification.
NimbleGen combines its high-capacity 385,000
probe microarrays with its long oligonucleotide probes designed
with matched melting temperatures to produce the highest resolution
array CGH products on the market. Their novel isothermal probe
selection strategy enables consistent detection of copy number
changes in any non-repetitive region of the genome, thus affording
researchers the greatest flexibility in their experiments and
enabling detection of single and multiple copy changes. The flexibility
of NimbleGen’s Maskless Array Synthesis (MAS) platform provides
an additional key benefit over existing array CGH platforms: Because
NimbleGen arrays can be so rapidly and cost-effectively produced,
researchers can create customized array CGH microarrays, finely
tiling through a subset of chromosomal regions.
“NimbleGen’s
array CGH technology represents one of several important emerging
methods of genetic analysis that are best addressed by high-density
arrays containing long oligo probes” said Dr. Stan Rose,
NimbleGen’s President and CEO. “This is the most advanced
research tool yet developed for copy number analysis on a genome-wide
basis, and our rapid custom design capabilities allow for even
higher resolution analysis of targeted genetic regions. We expect
these new tools to be widely used in basic and clinical research,
particularly in oncology, and in development of complex genetic
diagnostics.”
NimbleGen’s New Array CGH Products
NimbleGen plans to launch two array CGH
products at the AACR National Meeting: Human Whole-Genome Array
CGH and Custom Fine-Tiling Array CGH. The Human Whole-Genome Array
CGH product is a single-array design with 385,000 probes tiled
throughout the human genome with a median probe spacing of 6,000
bp, thus enabling the highest resolution human whole-genome array
CGH experiments.
“Other commercially available oligonucleotide
array CGH products use a gene-centric design, with a small number
of probes located outside the genes. NimbleGen’s tiled probe
design is an unbiased approach that makes no assumptions about
which genes or regions are most relevant for array CGH researchers.
This is of particular note as array CGH is rapidly gaining recognition
as a tool for investigation of complex diseases other than cancer,
such as neuropsychiatric disorders, and for analysis of “normal
vs. normal” copy number polymorphisms, which may play a role
in other genomic research areas such as pharmacogenetics. Furthermore,
it is becoming increasingly apparent that the enhancers, insulators,
and boundary elements that lie outside of genes are important
in many disease states,” said Dr. Roland Green, Chief Technology
Office and Vice President of R&D at NimbleGen. “Our early
access customers have provided very positive feedback regarding
NimbleGen’s array CGH performance relative to other available
technologies.”
NimbleGen’s human array CGH uses the most
current genome sequence information available (HG17, NCBI Build
35). In addition to human array CGH, NimbleGen will soon be offering
whole-genome array CGH products for model organisms such as mouse
and C. elegans.
The Custom Fine-Tiling Array CGH product also
contains 385,000 isothermal probes per array, tiled at higher
resolution in chromosomal region(s) selected by the researcher.
These probes, which can be spaced as densely as every 10bp, provide
the highest resolution breakpoint mapping (< 500bp intervals)
commercially available. Fine-tiling array CGH can be used to detect
and map copy number changes in any publicly available genome,
including human and all major model organisms.
For more information, see www.nimblegen.com/products/cgh/.
About NimbleGen Systems Inc.
NimbleGen Systems (http://www.nimblegen.com/)
is the leading supplier of custom-designed high-density microarray
products and services, offering unprecedented flexibility for
genomics research. NimbleGen's Maskless Array Synthesis (MAS)
technology combines photo-deposition chemistry with digital light
projection to shorten array fabrication from months to hours.
Customers benefit from extreme flexibility, optimized array design,
highly reproducible array fabrication and statistically robust
results-all with low cost and quick turnaround. NimbleGen is working
with scientists around the world to develop and deploy a wide
range of new microarray applications.
