Microarray to be used in human identification

Affymetrix and DNA Link team up to consumerise DNA identification technology .

Pharmaceutical companies Affymetrix and DNA Link are set to sign a partnership deal that will see the former's microarray technology used to commercialise a forensic test that will allow for comprehensive human identification.
Microarrays are capable of identifying DNA by analysing the tens of thousands of probes attached to each strand, either in a short section of gene or other elements such as picomoles.

However, Affymetrix's technology combines target resequencing arrays and multiplexing PCR methods that allow the system to function on a wide variety of forensic samples, including degraded DNA.

Dara Wright, vice-president of clinical applications marketing at Affymetrix, said: "We are very pleased to have DNA Link join our Powered by Affymetrix program in which we help partners to develop novel molecular diagnostic tests for personalized healthcare."

She added that the agreement is a particularly notable milestone as DNA Link represent Affymetrix's