SEATTLE, Oct. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Applied Precision, LLC, a leading provider of imaging, measurement and analysis systems for both the semiconductor and life sciences industries, today announced that the University of Washington (UW) has purchased its arrayWoRx(R)e Biochip Reader to enhance its genomics research efforts. Researchers from the UW School of Medicine's Department of Genome Sciences worked closely with Applied Precision to conduct a thorough evaluation of the system for use in array comparative genome hybridization (arrayCGH) scanning. The arrayWoRxe Biochip Reader was selected because it generates highly accurate and repeatable quantitative data, as well as provides application flexibility necessary for arrayCGH scanning.

"ArrayCGH is a new screening tool for genetic research that provides high-resolution genome analysis technology to detect copy number variation, including segmented chromosomal deletions and duplications without actually looking at chromosomes. After an intense evaluation of different platforms, Applied Precision's arrayWoRxe Biochip Reader was found to provide the most reproducible results and will play a key role in the laboratory's arrayCGH scanning efforts," said Evan Eichler, Associate Professor at the University of Washington's Department of Genome Sciences. "The accuracy, speed and application flexibility of the arrayWoRxe microarray scanning system will enable the university to harness the significant potential arrayCGH scanning holds for genomics research and discovery efforts."

"ArrayCGH scanning is a powerful example of how the arrayWoRxe Biochip Reader is enabling new microarray scanning applications -- now being adopted by leading research, clinical and diagnostic laboratories," said Brent Navran, Life Sciences Product Line Manager for Applied Precision. "Genome-wide screening for chromosomal imbalances is already providing a wealth of new data on previously unrecognized tumor-specific genomic alterations. Conducting such CGH analysis on microarrays using defined DNA probes with the arrayWoRxe Biochip Reader significantly enhances both data accuracy and speed of collection. We look forward to future collaborations and to supporting the valuable, leading-edge scientific research conducted by the University of Washington."

Delivering the highest level of image quality with reproducible data offered by a microarray scanning system, Applied Precision's arrayWoRxe Biochip Reader also offers superior application flexibility. The system achieves an unmatched 3.25 micron per pixel image resolution for life science applications, due to the integration of leading-edge and proprietary mechanical and optical systems. Full-spectrum white light-based four color imaging technology, with a range of 350nm to 750nm, improves photon collection and also contributes to the lowest ratio coefficient of variation (CVr) in the industry, so that more usable data is acquired and faulty data eliminated. The system's intuitive automated preset scanning software, combined with simultaneous scanning and analysis technology, simplifies and speeds the imaging and analysis process. In addition, changing wavelengths simply requires using different optical filters, while the standard model includes filter sets that support up to 89 low-cost fluorescent dies-contributing to both robust application flexibility and low cost of ownership.

About the University of Washington School of Medicine

The UW School of Medicine is part of UW Medicine, which also includes Harborview Medical Center, UW Medical Center, UW Medicine Neighborhood Clinics, and the UW's involvement in the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. UW Medicine has major academic and service affiliations with Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center, the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, and the Veteran's Affairs Medical Centers in Seattle and Boise. Consistently among the nation's top five recipients of federal funding for biomedical research, the School of Medicine has among its regular faculty five Nobel Laureates, 30 members of the National Academy of Sciences, and 27 members of the Institute of Medicine. For more information about UW Medicine, visit http://www.uwmedicine.org/

About Applied Precision, LLC

Applied Precision is a leading provider of imaging, measurement and analysis systems for both life sciences research and the semiconductor industry. Headquartered in Seattle, Washington with sales and service centers in both Europe and Asia, Applied Precision has received multiple awards for its innovative new products. The company has also received awards for its financial growth and is a four-time winner of the Deloitte & Touché Washington State Technology Fast 50 award. More information about Applied Precision is available at: http://www.appliedprecision.com/

About Comparative Genome Hybridization (CGH)

Changes relevant to disease at the genomic level include chromosomal aberrations that were originally characterized by chromosomal karyotyping suffering from low resolution and often reduced quality of chromosomes. An indirect approach, using high quality standard metaphase spreads, is CGH, comparing differences in copy number between test and reference genomic DNA samples competitively hybridized to chromosomes. Genome-wide screening for chromosomal imbalances using conventional CGH revealed a wealth of data on previously unrecognized tumor-specific genomic alterations. CGH done on microarrays with defined DNA probes is termed matrix-CGH. This molecular karyotyping is a new screening tool for research, clinical and diagnostic laboratories. This high-resolution genome analysis technology detects various cytogenetic anomalies, including segmented chromosomal deletions and duplications without actually looking at chromosomes.

NOTE: Applied Precision and arrayWoRx are registered trademarks of Applied Precision, LLC.

CONTACT: Robert Wilson of Applied Precision, +1-425/657-1424, or fax,
+1-425-557-1055, or rwilson@api.com; or Angie Kellen of MCA, +1-650/968-8900,
or fax, +1-650-968-8990, or akellen@mcapr.com, for Applied Precision

Web site: http://www.appliedprecision.com/