InterGenetics Incorporated (IGI) is offering a new service to provide high throughput single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping to academic investigators and other biotechnology companies. IGI is a biotechnology and bioinformatics based company residing in the commercial Research Park located adjacent to the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center campus in Oklahoma City. IGI has significant expertise in developing and implementing multiplexed SNP assays through its development of a test for genetic predisposition to breast cancer. This breast cancer project involved extensive genotyping of a collection of over 7500 women of which over 2500 had been diagnosed with breast cancer. Over a million individual SNP genotype determinations have been made by IGI over the course of this and other related projects. This experience has resulted in the development of efficiencies and expertise in SNP genotyping that InterGenetics is making available to other investigators.

Initiating and operating a large scale SNP genotyping project can be very expensive and time consuming. Capital equipment costs are large and technical operators usually require extensive training. InterGenetics allows investigators to avoid these costs, shortening the time required for data generation and permits investigators to concentrate their efforts on data analysis and interpretation. IGI's core technology uses allele specific primer extension (ASPE) mounted onto a bead based assay system with a readout linked to a flow cytometer. This technology is very robust and uses the same operating platform utilized for the only FDA approved cystic fibrosis mutation carrier screening test.

"One of the factors that make this new SNP genotyping service possible is access to the robust, accurate and timely DNA sequencing service provided by the OUHSC core facility," said David Ralph, Chief Scientific Officer for InterGenetics. Development of accurate SNP genotyping assays that use ASPE requires a modest sample of individuals for whom their SNP genotypes have been determined by a method other than ASPE. It is also critical to know the locations of SNPs that are located near the SNP of interest to avoid issues related to mismatches in PCR and/or ASPE primer design. Direct DNA sequencing is the gold standard for finding and characterizing such SNPs. Thus, development of each new ASPE SNP assay begins with a small resequencing project.

Whether you have a genotyping project in carcinogenesis genes or a totally unrelated genotyping interest, InterGenetics will deliver timely, efficient and competitively priced service in a user friendly manner. Even if you are new to this field and are considering a SNP genotyping project, InterGenetics technical staff will be glad to guide you through this process and provide help. Investigators interested in SNP genotyping projects can contact us at 405-271-1720 or reach us through our website at www.intergenetics.com.