Affymetrix to collaborate with South African centre on genomics research

A new partnership between Affymetrix and the CPGR in South Africa could ultimately lead to new personalised therapies.

Affymetrix, a US-based company specialising in genetic analysis technologies, has announced a collaboration with the Centre for Proteomic and Genomic Research (CPGR) in South Africa.

The partnership aims to advance genomics research and personalised medicine projects in Africa, with the CPGR - a not-for-profit research organisation - using Affymetrix's GeneTitan Multi-Channel (MC) Instrument to provide gene expression and Axiom genotyping services to researchers.

Dr Reinhard Hiller, the CPGR's managing director, said that Affymetrix's technologies were "ideal" for meeting the needs of scientists in Africa.

"GeneTitan MC Instrument expands our genomics service capabilities and will further enable CPGR to support cutting-edge translational research in Africa," he claimed.

"Further, it allows discovery and validation of disease-related biomarkers economically - even when searching for very rare genetic variants."

Dr Hiller added that he expects the collaboration to help discover genetic markers for better diagnosis and drug treatment in the African population, which has far greater genetic variability than other regions of the world.

Chris Barbazette, vice-president of commercial operations in international markets at Affymetrix, agreed that the partnership represents a "significant opportunity to ensure that African populations are represented in genomics research studies leading to personalised therapies".