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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Steve McPhail
919-405-2248
smcphail@expressionanalysis.com
Expression Analysis, Inc. Completes Phase 1 Proficiency Testing Program for Affymetrix Microarray Users
Durham, N.C., Expression Analysis, Inc. (EA), a full-service microarray genetics testing, analysis and data management organization, has concluded Phase 1 of its proprietary Proficiency Testing Program for microarray facilities. The program allows organizations to compare microarray data generated in multiple laboratories—within and between organizations—to ensure consistent, comparable data.
Phase 1 testing began in May with 13 microarray facilities from across the nation, which included leading medical centers and commercial organizations. Additional laboratories will be added to Phase 2 testing, which is scheduled to begin in August.
EA's Proficiency Testing Program provided all participants with relative “deviation-driven” measures to compare experimental outcomes. Each facility received total RNA samples and Affymetrix GeneChips® and used an industry variability standards matrix to compare the results generated across laboratories. EA compiled the results of these tests and developed a deviation matrix output for each facility. Although referred to as Proficiency Testing, this program is not intended to assign “pass” or “fail” scores to the participating microarray facilities. Instead, the program surveyed laboratories and characterized the distribution of microarray results, which may be used to develop performance standards.
“Expression Analysis has taken a leadership role to facilitate the use of microarray technology in drug development applications, including clinical trials,” said Steve McPhail, president and CEO of Expression Analysis. “As use of this technology becomes more widespread in clinical applications, it will require some form of microarray-based laboratory performance standards. Through this initial program, Expression Analysis continues its leadership role by assisting to develop these standards.”
The Academic Medicine Development Company, LLC (AMDeC), which collects data from several independent labs participated in this program. “This project is critical to our efforts to promote collaborations among scientists across AMDeC-affiliated institutions,” said Maria K. Mitchell, Ph.D., President of AMDeC. “It will greatly help us coordinate our activities, such as fine tuning protocols, and facilitating data sharing.”
“The Proficiency Testing Program that EA has developed is directly in line with our goals as a microarray consortium and will be invaluable as we strive to coordinate microarray data generation and analysis at the level of New York State,” said Andrew I. Brooks, Ph.D., Director of AMDeC Microarray Resource Center, which develops genetics for the state of New York. “Additionally, having this data will help our laboratories as they ultimately transition into offering clinical gene expression services.”
About Expression Analysis
Expression Analysis, Inc., (EA) (www.expressionanalysis.com) is a full-service microarray genomics testing and analysis organization dedicated to providing clients with the highest quality genomic processing and data analysis services using Affymetrix GeneChip® brand technology. In 2004, EA became the first microarray services facility, worldwide, to provide GLP-compliant services. EA is a U.S.-based authorized service provider for Affymetrix (www.affymetrix.com), a California-based company that develops and commercializes systems to help researchers explore the relationship between genes and human health.
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