SANTA CLARA, Calif., Sept. 10, 2007 — Affymetrix Inc. recently announced the launch of its GeneChip® Mouse and Rat Gene 1.0 ST Arrays, the latest additions to the Gene 1.0 ST Array System, which provide researchers with a more accurate and informative alternative for mouse and rat gene expression detection, all in a cost-effective and easy-to-use format. 

Similar to the recently launched Human Gene 1.0 ST Array, the Mouse and Rat Gene 1.0 ST Arrays use the Whole Transcript (WT) Sense Target Labeling Assay to deliver a more complete and accurate view of a gene’s total transcriptional activity, not just the 3’ end of a gene like traditional expression array designs. With approximately 26 probes spread across the entire length of the gene, the Gene 1.0 ST Arrays offer more accurate and informative gene expression detection.  The affordable price and simplified workflow of the Gene 1.0 ST Array System will enable more scientists to incorporate microarray technology in their research, and allow them to perform larger expression studies with additional replicates to gain a more accurate picture of gene activity.

“The new Mouse and Rat Gene 1.0 ST Arrays feature a particularly efficient design with better coverage of the core transcriptome,” said Robert W. Williams, Ph.D., lead developer of the GeneNetwork web site at the University of Tennessee. “I expect that these technical improvements when combined with lower cost will encourage researchers to implement more

powerful and sophisticated experiments using a platform with strong bioinformatics support.”

“We were the first lab in Israel to use the new Human Gene 1.0 ST Array and we have been very pleased with the results when we compared it to the data generated by the traditional 3’ arrays,” said Ninette Amariglio, Ph.D., head of Hematology and Cancer Research Center laboratories at the Sheba Medical Center in Israel. “The Affymetrix Whole Transcript Assay is clearly the right tool for future gene expression studies and we are looking forward to the addition of the Mouse and Rat Gene 1.0 ST Arrays.”

The newest Gene 1.0 ST Arrays incorporate the latest available mouse and rat genome sequence

information and feature a simplified design strategy, which provides one value from one probe set for each gene. Both the Mouse and Rat 1.0 ST Arrayscontain more than 720,000 probes that interrogate more than 27,000 well-annotated genes. 

As part of the complete system solution, Affymetrix recommends using the Gene Arrays with a simple WT assay that is comparable in workflow to the existing 3’ assay. The Gene Arrays require only 100 ng of total RNA as starting material, making the assay accessible to more researchers and more samples. The Affymetrix Expression Console™ Software offers additional tools to further simplify the analysis workflow.

“Affymetrix prides itself on its continued innovation and ability to provide customers with a growing portfolio of products that deliver a more accurate picture of gene activity for more than 30 different organisms,” said John E. Blume, Ph.D., senior vice president of product development at Affymetrix. “The Mouse and Rat Gene 1.0 ST Arrays combine a subset of the probes found on the more comprehensive Exon Arrays with the simplicity and affordability associated with traditional 3’ expression array designs, making them the ideal choice for both new microarray users and researchers looking to perform larger-scale gene expression studies with additional replicates.”

For more information on the Affymetrix Mouse Gene 1.0 ST Array, please click here.

For more information on the Affymetrix Rat Gene 1.0 ST Array, please click here.