Agilent and WiCell to provide new microarray analysis service

Agilent Technologies has announced WiCell will be providing a new comparative genomic hybridisation plus single nucleotide polymorphism (CGH+SNP) microarray analysis service using Agilent's existing systems.

The service will utilise the Agilent SurePrint G3 Human Genome CGH+SNP Microarray and eliminates the need for CGH and SNP analysis to be performed using separate assays.

Using this microarray, copy number changes by both SNP and CGH can be detected, simultaneously delivering copy-neutral change information such as loss or absence of heterozygosity.

It is hoped that the WiCell collaboration will help researchers to complete their studies quicker and more efficiently.

Kathleen Shelton, senior director of genomics marketing at Agilent, said: "WiCell's considerable experience and knowhow in cytogenetic analysis and their large CGH dataset for embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells partner well with Agilent's technology to enable robust detection capabilities."

Last month, the company reported its financial results for the fourth quarter of its 2012 business year, during which it experienced a two percent year-on-year revenue increase.