Affymetrix this week launched its GeneChip Rice 44K SNP Genotyping Array, which it touts as the first high-density array for genotyping rice. The company claims the chip can be used to identify rice varietals and better understand the genetic inheritance of agricultural traits.
The array features more than 44,000 SNPs and detects common genetic variants within and between the major subpopulations of Oryza sativa, including indica, aus, tropical japonica, temperate japonica, and aromatic, or Group V.
The new product was developed in collaboration with Susan McCouch, a professor in the department of plant breeding and genetics at Cornell University, as well as a team of scientists from rice research institutes and private sector partners.
Montreal-based agricultural genetics testing firm DNA Landmarks and Durham, NC-based genomics services provider Expression Analysis have added the new rice array to their offerings.
QuantiScientifics recently introduced its A² DxA Microarray System for multiplex immunoassays. The system is based on the Irvine, Calif.-based firm's A² platform, which includes a 96-well plate product with which users can process up to 96 samples for 13 different analyses, or the equivalent of 1,248 tests. The new system incorporates BioDot's dispensing technology for microplate arraying and assay automation.
SciGene now provides a mini buffer heating system for washing microarrays. The Sunnyvale, Calif.-based company said a removable waterbath insert is available for its Hybex Incubator that heats buffers for manual washing of chips. Other accessories are available for heating 1.5 mL, 0.6 mL, and 0.2 mL PCR capped tubes or a single PCR plate.