Roche to support genetic research

Roche Diagnostics has announced it will support the Oxford Biomedical Research Centre (OxBRC) in genetic diseases research.

OxBRC is a partnership between the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust and the University of Oxford to develop genetic and cytogenetic testing solutions.

The project will use Roche NimbleGen High-Density Arrays for genetic disease analysis and 454 Sequencing to assist the research.

The combination of the new technologies used for clinical genetic testing are said to provide significant advantages over current techniques.

Tests using Roche technology will examine genes for private familial mutations, conduct mutation screening and identify genes and regions with genomic imbalances.

OxBRC’s translational research will use the lab results to improve healthcare delivery and drive medical innovations.

Manfred Baier, head of Roche Applied Science, said: “During the last few years we have seen many publications in high ranking scientific journals that illustrate impressively the potential of 454 Sequencing and NimbleGen arrays in analysing diseases.”

Roche’s Diagnostics Division offers products and services in all fields of medical testing and is the world leader in in-vitro diagnostics.