How We Can Support the Drug Development Pipeline

Whole Genome Analysis
Genomic Extraction
SNP Genotyping
WGA
BioBanking
Bioinformatics
Gene Expression Profiling
Epigenetics
DNA Sequencing

Gene Expression

RNA expression profiling is a useful tool for identifying novel/known genes in a variety of diseases and validating their expression in a different cell types, at a given time or under certain conditions. Expression profiling can also provide the drug development researcher with useful data on drug targets and pathway signalling.

Description:

As a leading provider of genomic research service in the UK, Source BioScience has recently added the Illumina BeadArray technology to the range of platforms available for Gene Expression Profiling.

BreadArray Technology

BeadArray technology uses 3µM beads that randomly assemble in either a fibre optic bundle substrate or a silica slide substrate. These two substrates form the basis of two different array formats; the 96-sample array matrix format based on fibre optic bundle and the BeadChip format based on the silica slide. Each bead contains a large number of a specific oligonucleotide and a 23 base address code. The randomly assembled beads are then decoded through a series of sequential hybridisation process.

Assay Technology

Illumina assay technologies for gene expression profiling include the Direct Hybridisation assay and the cDNA-mediated Annealing, Selection, Extension and Ligation (DASL) assay.

Illumina direct hybridisation assay is compatible with the standard techniques used widely in the gene expression.
The direct hybridisation assay is used in the Whole genome expression BeadChip range of products.
Illumina DASL assay allows RNA profiling of up to 1536 targets using partially degraded RNA samples, frequently found in formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded samples. This allows rescue of valuable genomic material from archived samples particularly useful for clinical trial or retrospective study samples.
The DASL leverages the GoldenGate Assay protocol and is used in the Sentrix® Array Matrix (to process 96 RNA samples in a single experiment) and the Sentrix® BeadChip (to process 16 samples in a single experiment). At present Illumina offers one standard DASL assay oligonucleotide panel, the human cancer panel which can measure the expression levels of 502 known human cancer genes. In addition to this cancer panel customers can design their own unique DASL panel of between 512 and 1536 genes.
This technology is a useful adjunct to oncology studies and development of new cancer drugs.

Highlights:

BeadArray

Each bead type is represented more than 20 times on the substrate. This strategy provides the statistical accuracy of multiple measurements and results in providing high quality, highly reproducible data.
The decoding process means that each bead has gone through a functional validation process, allowing Quality Control of every feature of every array to ensure that each array element is present and functional.

Direct Hybridisation assay

High reproducibility possible due to 50mer probes and 100% array QC
Requires low sample input at 50-100ng of total RNA

DASL assay

Profile partially degraded RNA samples frequently found in formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded samples, allowing analysis of previously collected preserved samples
Sensitivity to detect low-abundance transcripts
Requires low sample input of 100-200ng total RNA

To learn more about the value of our DASL services please click here.

Expression Profiling Options

Platforms

Illumina Beadstation 500
Illumina Beadstudio analysis software
Quantum Appligene Template-Tamer™ PCR workstation provides a nuclease-free environment
Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer estimates RNA sample integrity

Bioinformatics - Analysis Support

Our Bioinformatics scientists provide a complete analysis package that can also be customised to your specific research needs using:

Illumina BeadStudio data analysis software
Partek Genomics Suite
Open source tools

Contact:
Email: pharma
Telephone: +44(0)115 973 9012