Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) announced that its microarrays were
used in a landmark research study on prenatal samples. The three-year study was
designed to evaluate the accuracy, efficacy and potential advantages of using
microarray analysis as compared with conventional karyotyping. Agilent SurePrint CGH microarrays and
analysis software were used for the majority sample cohort of 4,400 samples.
Researchers from Emory University, Baylor College of Medicine, Columbia
University and Signature Genomics took part in the study. The results were
presented last week at a meeting of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine.
One part of the study focused on the comparison with karyotypes. A second part
focused on evaluating analytical performance.
The research study represents a significant milestone in understanding
prenatal abnormalities.
Agilent was the primary contributor of microarrays and reagents to this
study, as 71 percent of samples were run on Agilent SurePrint CGH microarrays,
with Agilent software used for data analysis. Agilent assisted the
investigators from the prenatal study group in developing the arrays used in
the study.
"This landmark research study on prenatal samples will have
long-lasting implications to the research community," said Dr. Laird
Jackson, professor, Genetics, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Drexel
University College of Medicine. "Microarrays allowed us to detect smaller
aberrations compared to traditional karyotyping."
A total of 5,500 arrays were used. The majority of the samples were
uncultured amniotic fluid and chorionic villi. All samples were also sent to a
reference lab for chromosome analysis. All data will be submitted to National
Center for Biotechnology Information and will be available to the community
free of charge. Agilent microarrays are not cleared or approved for use in
diagnostic procedures.
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.