The DNA analysis system is fully automated and reduces manual intervention in experiments, thereby eliminating sources of error and maintaining a high degree of standardisation.
It stores a number of standardised microarray layouts in its memory, and the fluorescent oligonucleotide probes are synthesised in the machine and dispensed into the corresponding array well. Automated, light-activated in situ synthesis of an array is performed over night, and a few additional hours are needed for the hybridisation step and analysis, depending on the protocol used. Any experiment may be completed in less than 24 hours, according to febit.
The system comprises a 'DNA processor', a reaction carrier that enables the rapid conversion of digital data into biochemical information and vice-versa. The DNA array design is stored as a digital file and users can either select a standard array of DNA probes, or create new arrays with a few mouse clicks.
The first machines are already being shipped to customers, including a biotechnology in Spain and a Swiss pharmaceutical company, said Dr Marcus Hausch, business development manager at febit. Beta validation was carried out at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory and German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ) in Heidelberg, Germany, and the CNRS (Centre Nationale de la Recherche Scientifique) in Paris, France.
The most likely applications for the system in the pharma/biotech sector, he told In-Pharmatechnologist.com, will be follow-up studies originating from whole genome expression profiling screens. In these studies, a limited number of genes (in the hundreds to thousands range) are analysed in more detail and at a larger scale.
Febit is operating an early technology access programme for the system, which means that customers will get all instrumentation, software, servicing and licenses required for three years for a fixed price of €350,000. Dr Hausch said that average cost in consumables would be around €100,000 per year, although this will vary depending on the workload of the user.
febit is already offering a range of eight genetic probe libraries for the system, including human, mouse and Arabidopsis sequences, and is in the process of building up a database covering most experimental organisms. This should be complete by 2005, according to Dr Hausch.
For more information on the geniom one system, visit febit's website or e-mail Marcus Hausch.