Affymetrix Inc announced the launch of its new GeneChip Rat Genome 230 2.0 Array, offering researchers the transcribed rat genome on a single microarray, significantly reducing the labor, time and resources needed for any gene expression experiment.

The Rat Genome 230 2.0 Array represents the largest number of rat transcripts and variants available on a single expression analysis array, consolidating all the data from the previous two-array Rat Expression Set 230. This new array represents over 30,000 transcripts, including 28,000 well-substantiated rat genes from several leading public rat genome databases including UniGene and Baylor College of Medicine Human Genome Sequencing Center information databases. All probe sequences and annotations are freely available through Affymetrix' online NetAffx Analysis Center.

"The Rat Genome 230 2.0 Array is part of a new generation of Affymetrix arrays that bring cost-effective, comprehensive, high performance whole-genome analysis to the individual scientist," said Alan Dance, senior vice president, Affymetrix Applications Business Unit. "Affymetrix' probe set strategy, which uses multiple data points to measure each transcript, has been proven through a series of rigorous and exacting performance benchmarks to offer an unparalleled level of data quality in gene expression analysis."

Affymetrix uses 22 independent probes to quantitate the levels of each of 30,000 transcripts on the array, providing optimal sensitivity and specificity, and the most accurate, reproducible and statistically significant results available today.

GeneChip rat expression analysis arrays have accelerated discovery in a wide range of scientific disciplines including toxicology, neurobiology and physiology. The reproducibility of GeneChip rat microarrays has been an important factor in their widespread use to populate gene expression databases, which have become critically important tools in the field of predictive toxicology.

This week, scientists at the Society of Toxicology Annual Meeting will present their most recent GeneChip rat microarray findings, studying the toxicological effects of chemicals ranging from common environmental contaminants to sarin nerve gas. Packaging the transcribed rat genome on a single array will help these scientists accelerate their research and development by reducing the time and resources needed for benchtop experiments.

Affymetrix' next generation expression arrays include the GeneChip Mouse Genome 430 2.0 Array, GeneChip Human Genome U133 Plus 2.0 Array and new, higher density GeneChip CustomExpress Arrays. These new arrays offer over two and a half times more data on a single array, making high quality, affordable whole-genome analysis within the reach of individual researchers worldwide. A new generation of instruments, including the new GeneChip Scanner 3000, the GeneChip Autoloader and the GeneChip Fluidics Station 450, offer researchers a robust and reliable system to process Affymetrix' new generation of chips.