HERCULES, Calif., Jan. 11, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Eureka Genomics is developing a custom assay for the genotyping of barley, enabling identification of over 400 SNPs in a single test. At $15.00 per sample, the assay will offer a low-cost opportunity for researchers to identify and optimize traits such as yield, quality and environmental resilience for commercial crop production.
Barley is the world's 4th most important cereal and has significant worldwide economic value for brewing and whisky distilling industries, animal feed and FDA recognized potential for improving human health. By developing the barley panel in conjunction with the James Hutton Institute (based in Scotland, UK), Eureka Genomics will be positioned to introduce the assay both in Europe and in the US next month. Details on the newly developed barley panel will be available during the Plant and Animal Genome XXI Conference in San Diego, California on January 13, 2013.
"The collaboration has resulted in a very cost-effective, medium-throughput approach to single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping, a fundamental technology in both genetic studies and contemporary crop improvement programs worldwide. As the Eureka technology offers the flexibility to increase both the number of SNPs and samples per assay at low additional cost, we are already focused on improving SNP representation and multiplex capability, further reducing the cost per datapoint, a key requirement for widespread adoption in commercial plant breeding," said Robbie Waugh, Head of Genetics at the James Hutton Institute.
The marker assay (LDMA) being offered by Eureka Genomics provides an improved and economical alternative to traditional technologies for profiling hundreds of SNPs (or other genetic markers) in thousands of samples using Next Generation Sequencing (NGS). The assay can be broadly applied to the detection of SNPs, CNV, presence/absence and methylation and is compatible with DNA or RNA from virtually any organism, even when genome information may be incomplete. "The LDMA lets researchers design profiling panels that target the markers that matter most for their project, rather than wasting time and resources getting data that is irrelevant to their goals," said Andrea White, Director of Business Development for Eureka Genomics. "The utility of the assay has been demonstrated and validated at this point and we look forward to many different research collaborations, such as we have developed with the James Hutton Institute, to expand the testing services portfolio offered by Eureka Genomics and address needs in plant, animal and clinical markets world-wide."
About Eureka Genomics: Eureka Genomics (EG; www.eurekagenomics.com) is a leader in advanced bioinformatics analysis of next-generation sequencing data, which serves as the backbone of their low-density marker assays (LDMA). In addition, EG leverages their analytical expertise to discover microorganisms associated with cancers and other life threatening diseases and the development of related molecular diagnostics. EG uses proprietary algorithms and biological problem-solving expertise to provide collaborative and cost-effective high quality sequencing and analysis services to a broad range of university, government and industry researchers worldwide. For more information, please contact Didier Perez, 415 269 0666. didier@eurekagenomics.com. Visit us at PAG XXI San Diego, CA at Booth 206.
About The James Hutton Institute: The James Hutton Institute is a brand new international research Centre based in Scotland. The work we do is right at the top of the global agenda and involves tackling some of the world's most challenging problems including the impact of climate change and threats to food and water security. The James Hutton Institute brings together the Macaulay Land Use Research Institute and SCRI (Scottish Crop Research Institute) both of which have illustrious histories. The new institute was created on 1 April 2011. For more information, please contact: info@hutton.ac.uk