NEW YORK (GenomeWeb News) - Applied Biosystems said today that it has signed on six international labs as the first partners in a new genotyping service program based on its SNPlex platform.
The newly launched SNPlex Service Provider Program is targeted toward researchers who do not have access to capillary electrophoresis genetic analysis instruments, the company said.
Program participants were chosen “based on proficiency in executing the SNPlex chemistry workflow and generating reliable data” using ABI’s GeneMapper software, the company said. Providers include: the Chinese National Human Genome Center; DNAVision; IntegraGen; Medical Solutions Geneservice; the University of California at Los Angeles DNA Sequencing and Genotyping Core Facility; and the Vanderbilt University DNA Sequencing and Genotyping Facility.
Program members will use the SNPlex Genotyping System, including custom-designed assays, reagents, analysis software, and system documentation for ABI's CE platforms.
ABI said the program members will offer services for "medium to large-scale genotyping research,” including validation or fine-mapping studies that require high-throughput SNP data.
The company will provide program members with technical and marketing support.
UCLA's GenoSeq core lab expects its customers will use the SNPlex technology for cancer, neuropsychiatric studies, and various other research programs.
"It's not always practical for a researcher to set up a high-throughput assay in their laboratory if the methods are not the main focus of their work," said Jeanette Papp, director of the GenoSeq core.
ABI said the Chinese National Human Genome Center already has used the SNPlex system along with its CE sequencing platforms to run "many national and international genomics research projects related to large-scale DNA sequencing, functional genomics, proteomics, and SNP detection.”
Financial terms of the agreements were not released.