Roche NimbleGen launches microarrays for analysis of DNA copy number variation

Roche NimbleGen, Inc. has launched NimbleGen Comparative Genomic Hybridization (CGH) microarrays in a 12x135K format for analysis of DNA copy number variation.

NimbleGen CGH 12x135K arrays allow simultaneous analysis of 12 independent sample pairs on a single microarray slide, each with 135,000 empirically tested long oligonucleotide probes. This new array format will enable rapid and cost-effective analysis of DNA copy number variation associated with human genetic disease, genomic disorders, cancer, and other complex diseases for research purposes.

Similar to the NimbleGen 2.1 million feature (2.1M) arrays, the 12x135K arrays are manufactured on Roche NimbleGen's new HD2 platform, a next generation light-directed microarray synthesizer with increased system contrast providing improved sensitivity and reproducibility compared to the earlier 385K and 4x72K arrays. The launch of NimbleGen CGH 12x135K arrays is further supported with a new release of Roche NimbleGen's NimbleScan v2.5 software that includes an Experimental Metrics Report and enhanced analysis features for NimbleGen CGH arrays.

A single catalog array design, Human CGH 12x135K Whole-Genome Tiling v2.0, is available and enables genome-wide detection of copy number gains and losses down to ~100kb in size. Similar to the NimbleGen human whole-genome designs currently available in 2.1M, 385K, and 4x72K array formats, the Human CGH 12x135K Whole-Genome Tiling v2.0 array has enhanced probe coverage of segmental duplication regions that are often associated with pathogenic chromosomal rearrangements.

For researchers interested in targeted analysis of chromosomal regions, genes, or copy number variants (CNVs), Roche NimbleGen offers rapid and cost-effective creation of custom arrays for any eukaryotic organism. Custom CGH array designs consisting of either uniform or mixed-density probe spacing can be created for all available array formats (12x135K, 2.1M, 385K, 4x72K) and may include whole genomes, single chromosomal regions, or multiple loci of interest.

The release of NimbleGen CGH 12x135K arrays follows the launch earlier this year of our CGH 2.1M feature arrays. NimbleGen CGH 2.1M arrays offer ultra-high resolution detection of CNVs, down to ~5kb resolution using a single Human CGH 2.1M Whole-Genome Tiling v2.0 array. Gerd Maass, CEO of Roche NimbleGen, stated: "The launch of NimbleGen CGH 2.1M and 12x135K arrays positions Roche NimbleGen as a leading provider of CGH microarrays and services offering both ultra-high resolution discovery and large-scale validation of CNVs on a single platform. These tools will facilitate the identification of genetic variants associated with a variety of rare and common diseases including diabetes, cancer, psychiatric disorders, and autoimmune disease."