NEW YORK, Aug 12 (GenomeWeb) - Illumina has signed an agreement to perform a large-scale mouse genotyping study for the Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics at Oxford University.
Under the fast-track services pact, Illumina will generate over 25 million mouse genotypes for Wellcome Trust researchers, who will use SNP variants to search for quantitative trait loci. Since specific genes and gene order are highly conserved between mouse and human species, the partners believe that the information yielded from this study should promote a more rapid identification of disease genes and genetic functions in humans.
The Wellcome Trust will provide Illumina with SNP loci and samples from inbred mouse crosses. San Diego-based Illumina will develop the assays for high-multiplex genotyping using its GoldenGate protocol.
The alliance follows a pilot study the firm completed in 2003 for
The Wellcome Trust plans to publish the genotyping results and make the information available freely to other researchers and the general public.