Affymetrix Inc announced it is taking orders for its new GeneChip brand CustomSeq SARS Pathogen Detection Resequencing Array, designed to enable scientists to rapidly resequence different isolates of the virus that causes SARS and better understand variations associated with the spread of the virus and increased virulence.

The new array resequences the entire 29,700 base pairs in the SARS virus and was designed using sequence from public health centers in Canada, the United States and Asia. This product joins a growing list of pathogen arrays developed by Affymetrix.

"SARS has quickly become a major health concern, but by working together and using state-of-the-art genomic technology, researchers have rapidly learned a great deal about this disease," said Greg Yap, Senior Marketing Director, DNA Analysis, at Affymetrix. "We hope that by getting this powerful CustomSeq array into the hands of scientists, we can contribute to understanding SARS and the search for treatments."

Researchers are expected to use the CustomSeq SARS array in several ways. First, by determining DNA sequence variation among SARS samples, scientists can categorize different isolates of the virus into subtypes. Second, by comparing patient outcome with the pathogen subtypes, scientists may better understand which strains are most dangerous and discover key factors in developing therapies. Third, epidemiologists can use the CustomSeq SARS array to study how the virus is evolving over time, during its spread into different geographies and populations.

Investigating pathogens and viruses is one of many CustomSeq array applications. Other potential uses include SNP discovery, comparative sequencing of drug targets and investigation of candidate gene regions. One CustomSeq array can sequence about 30,000 bases of unique sequence quickly and with a high degree of accuracy. Compared to capillary sequencing, CustomSeq arrays make researchers faster and more effective by delivering completed sequence with minimal assembly, alignment, and curation. CustomSeq arrays also feature a simple assay protocol that makes sample preparation more efficient.