febit technology enables the conversion of new sequence data into biochips for gene expression profiling and sequence capture for Next-Generation Sequencing within days

febit holding gmbh announced today the launch of the first biochip on the market covering the newly published whole mouse genome. The biochip from febit enables up-to-date profiling and enrichment of genes and SNPs of interest using Gene Expression Profiling, SNP-Detection, ncRNA analysis as well as targeted enrichment of genes for Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS).

Professor Christian Koerner from the University Hospital for Pediatrics in Heidelberg (Germany) and customer of febit’s new mouse biochip, said: “It will be helpful and an advance for our research to use a whole genome microarray based on the most recent data available which have been published only weeks ago. This array allows the performance of a microarray expression profiling as well as a targeted Next-Generation Sequencing at the current state of the art.”

In the near future, Next-Generation Sequencing technologies will lead to a rising number of completed genomes of model organisms and other species of interest, as demonstrated by the updated mouse genome. This accelerated development will generate a variety of tools available in the short term for the application of the new data into experiments. febit’s Geniom® Technology represents the most efficient option for transforming digital genetic sequence information directly into a fully-applicable microarray and sequence capture biochip. The microfluidic biochips and flexible probe synthesis guarantee instant access to the latest sequence updates within only days after publication or request.

New Mouse Genome Assembly

The mouse (mus musculus) is the most important and well-established model for the study of human disease and mammalian development. At the end of May 2009, D.M. Church et al. published in the journal PLoS Biology a complete, high-quality genome assembly that contains over 139 Mb more of novel sequence compared to previously available mouse genome drafts. This brand-new, finished mouse genome, which is now available on febit’s microarrays, closes more than 175,000 gaps, completes the list of protein-coding genes to a number of 20,210 and identifies 439 long, non-coding RNAs.  Thus, a complete analysis of protein gene expression, microRNA profiles and expression patterns of long non-coding RNAs is possible and can reveal many previously hidden secrets of mammalian biology and disease processes.

Flexibel Technology for Fast-Paced Research

febit’s Geniom Technology provides turnkey solutions with established protocols and streamlined workflows, enabling all major RNA profiling applications as well as targeted Next-Generation Sequencing. HybSelect, sequence-specific DNA enrichment is enabled through hybridization and elution of high-value target regions by utilizing febit’s flexible Geniom Biochips. The enriched DNA is ideally suited for cost-effective targeted sequencing on Next-Generation Sequencing platforms. With its new HybSelect Biochip for the mouse genome, febit complements its offering for up-to-date sequence analyses in the field of mammalian research. Biochips for other models will follow as soon as the appropriate sequence analyses are completed. febit biochips are available for analysis at the Geniom RT Analyzer or as a full service from febit.