Mar 16 2010
Fluidigm Corporation and BIOKÉ, distributor of Fluidigm systems in the 
      Benelux, today announced that Leiden University Medical Center’s (LUMC) 
      Human Genetics Department has purchased a Fluidigm Access Array™ system. 
      The Access Array system enables users to automatically prepare 
      sequencing-ready libraries from up to 48 individual samples at a time, 
      for as little as €7 (EUR) per sample.
    
“Amplification of individual samples and gene segments is laborious, 
      time-consuming and costly”
    
      “LUMC will use the Fluidigm Access Array system to get reliable 
      amplification of individual gene segments. While the samples are being 
      amplified, they are individually tagged so the various samples can later 
      be identified after simultaneous processing in our next-generation 
      sequencer. This will reduce our overall cost and time-to-results for 
      genetic diagnostics,” said Johan den Dunnen, head of the Research 
      Facility, the Leiden Genome Technology Center (LGTC).
    
    
      “Amplification of individual samples and gene segments is laborious, 
      time-consuming and costly,” explained den Dunnen. “Samples need to be 
      combined in equimolar amounts to achieve equal coverage when sequenced 
      in a mix. Our early results are promising and we expect the Access Array 
      system to help us achieve equal yields and even coverage from these 
      combined samples after sequencing.”
    
    
      “We don’t make nextgen sequencers, but Fluidigm’s Access Array system 
      does make those sequencers work better. Our Access Array technology 
      simplifies the up-front preparation and maximizes the utility of today’s 
      next generation sequencers,” said Mike Lee, Fluidigm’s Senior Director 
      of Marketing.
    
    
      The Fluidigm Access Array System can be used with any PCR-based sample 
      preparation method and with the reagents and primers of the customer’s 
      choosing. The Access Array system includes specific single-use 
      microfluidic integrated fluidic circuits (IFCs), two IFC Controllers, 
      and a Stand-Alone Thermal Cycler to deliver results in just four hours.
    
    
      The 48.48 Access Array IFC is the first chip that features the ability 
      to recover reaction products automatically. Once sample processing has 
      been completed, the IFC automatically returns the samples to inlets from 
      which they can be easily extracted and readied for sequencing.
    
    
      Source Fluidigm