Affymetrix, Inc. announced the availability of the most widely cited gene expression microarray for use on the GeneAtlas Personal Microarray System, bringing the power of the world's largest collection of referenced microarray gene expression data to the personal bench-top of every life scientist. The new array strip format for the GeneChip Human Genome(HG)-U133 Array combined with the easy workflow of the GeneAtlas System gives researchers a cost-effective solution for in-house whole-genome expression analysis.

The new HG-U133+ PM Array Strip leverages the knowledge accumulated from multiple sources, including UniGene, RefSeq, the National Centre for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), and GenBank to provide the most comprehensive view of the transcribed genome. Using more than 500,000 probes for independent measurements of gene expression per sample and as many as 9 to 11 unique probes to interrogate every mRNA transcript, the HG-U133 + PM Array Strip delivers a high level of sequence coverage and data confidence.

Additionally, the GeneAtlas System's data analysis solution automatically translates the new array strip's differential expression data into relevant results. It also mines through thousands of research papers that reference the HG-U133 Array design for findings that are significant to a gene or gene-network of interest. Moreover, since Affymetrix routinely updates sequence files every six months for all of its arrays, researchers are assured access to the most relevant whole-genome information and the highest sequence coverage available.

“By designing the most widely cited array for use on the industry's first personal microarray analysis system, we are unlocking important content for a whole new set of scientists who couldn't access it before,” said Kevin Cannon, PhD, vice president of Marketing for Expression Applications at Affymetrix. “The power of the HG-U133 Array on the GeneAtlas System unleashes a tremendous opportunity for discovery,” Dr Cannon added. “Affymetrix is enabling life scientists, at every level and in all areas, to publish more quickly because of the superior performance, high data confidence, and easy workflow solution that we're delivering.”

Other array strips available for use on the complete personal GeneAtlas System for microarray processing include the Affymetrix Human Genome U219 Array Strip as well as the Affymetrix MG-430 PM Array Strip and Affymetrix RG-230 PM Array Strip, for mouse and rat, respectively; and the Affymetrix Human Gene 1.1ST Array Strip, Affymetrix Mouse Gene 1.1ST Array Strip, and Affymetrix Rat Gene 1.1ST Array Strip for gene, exon, and alternative splicing analysis.

Affymetrix technology is used by the world's top pharmaceutical, diagnostic, and biotechnology companies, as well as leading academic, government, and nonprofit research institutes. More than 2,100 systems have been shipped around the world and more than 23,500 peer-reviewed papers have been published using the technology.