Applied Biosystems has announced the commercial availability of the 3500 series genetic analyser, a capillary electrophoresis (CE) sequencing system.
The 3500 series genetic analyser is for research use only, and is not intended for therapeutic or diagnostic use.
It enables researchers to run up to 1,100 sequencing or 1,200 genotyping samples per day.
The analyser features novel consumable designs that incorporate the ability to track key information with radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, new optical and thermal systems designs, and redesigned data collection and analysis software, which enables easy generation of cost-effective analyses and high-quality data.
Many institutions perform studies in areas such as viral/microbial typing, tissue pathology studies, cancer and other disease research, employing DNA sequencing and fragment analysis applications using CE technology.
One such example, the Diagnostic Molecular Pathology Laboratory at Massachusetts General Hospital, is using the 3500 system in its research studies.
Dr John Iafrate leads the clinical service laboratory at the hospital, which conducts specialised molecular DNA oncology research.
Iafrate and his team are using Applied Biosystems' CE technology in a variety of pre-clinical studies to investigate potential correlations between genetic mutations and the formation of disease, including cancer.
The range of research tests using CE technology includes microsatellite instability analyses, sequencing, and higher-throughput genotyping of various cancer tissues to aid cancer research.
