Affymetrix this week launched a new multi-genome microarray for the detection and identification of pathogenic Escherichia coli during foodborne outbreaks.
According to Affymetrix, the Minimal Signature E. coli Array was designed by the US Food and Drug Administration's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, and can be run on on its semi-automated GeneAtlas Personal Microarray System as part of a 24-hour assay.
The chip content consists of biomarkers mined from over 250 E. coli whole genome sequences. In addition to containing more than 40,000 markers for every known E. coli gene, the array also includes 10,000 informative SNPs.
Affymetrix noted that its new chip can be used in combination with the FDA's Microbial ArrayTrack software, which supports microarray data storage, analysis, and visualization.