Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) and
Monash University Sunway campus recently announced a collaboration to promote
talent and skills development for genomics research in Malaysia.
This partnership, the first of its kind
for Agilent with a university in Malaysia, will help Malaysia assert itself as
a leading center for life sciences research and development in Southeast Asia.
Under the agreement, a center of excellence known as the Monash-Agilent
Authorized Microarray Service Center will be established at Monash University
Sunway campus. This center will be equipped with the latest microarray
instruments and will provide competency training for the center's lab
professionals undertaking molecular-genetic studies of human disease.
"The establishment of the AMSC
will be a timely boost in the collaboration between Agilent and Monash
University Sunway campus through the Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and
Health Sciences, providing the opportunity to access advanced technologies to
strengthen our current genomics research in diabetes, cancer, neurobiology and
infectious diseases," said professor Dato' Dr Anuar Zaini Md Zain, head of
the school.
He added that the school has forged
strong collaborations with local and international academic institutions as
well as leading industry players in expanding its expertise in research.
The collaboration between Agilent and
Monash University Sunway campus will see knowledge-sharing between both
organizations, including real-time communication of new developments in the
field of microarray applications as well as networking with Agilent's global
customers who are shaping the future of genomics.
Genomics is the study of all genes of
an organism, and DNA microarrays enable the measurement of multiple molecular
changes to genes. These changes can reveal the molecular basis of diseases,
enabling scientists to discover and develop new methods of treatment for these
diseases.
"The Monash-Agilent Authorized
Microarray Service Center, together with existing platform technologies at the school,
such as liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry and proteomics, will encourage
integrative and multidisciplinary research. The center will become the platform
to train next-generation scientists in genomics research and potentially
spearhead new niche areas in biomedical research through support and networking
with Agilent's global customers/collaborators," said professor Anuar.
"We are excited about this
collaboration with Monash University Sunway campus," said Rod Minett,
general manager, Agilent Life Sciences Group, South Asia Pacific and Korea.
"The knowledge gleaned from the collaboration will not only contribute
toward further understanding and preventing diseases, but also cement Malaysia
as a center for life sciences research and development."
At the heart of this collaboration are
highly sensitive and flexible DNA microarrays and the instruments and software
to interpret them. DNA microarrays are manufactured by Agilent using the same
cutting-edge technology used in ink-jet printer nozzles to literally synthesize
new DNA strands directly on a glass surface. Then these strands (or probes) are
used in experiments to detect changes in the DNA such as gene copy number
variations, or to monitor gene expression levels under various conditions. Agilent's
SureScan microarray scanner provides the means to read information from these
microarrays, enabling scientists and laboratory professionals in the new center
to leverage the latest tools for understanding the molecular-genetic basis of
disease.
About Monash University Sunway Campus
Monash University Sunway campus was
established in Malaysia in 1998. As a full-fledged campus, the Sunway campus
offers scholars a rich and international learning experience, supported by
collegial processes and comprehensive first-class infrastructure, as the
university aspires to intellectual achievement of the highest order. The Sunway
campus offers degrees in arts and social sciences, science, business,
engineering, information technology, and medicine and health sciences. More
information is available at www.monash.edu.my.
About Agilent Technologies
Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) is
the world's premier measurement company and a technology leader in chemical
analysis, life sciences, electronics and communications. The company's 18,700
employees serve customers in more than 100 countries. Agilent had net revenues
of $6.6 billion in fiscal 2011. Information about Agilent is available at www.agilent.com.