Automating The CGH/CNV Workflow With The Bravo Automated Liquid Handling Platform

By Anniek De Witte, Jennifer Sidoti, Marc Visitacion, Manuel Gomez, and Dione Bailey

The Agilent Comparative Genomic Hybridization (CGH) and Copy Number Variation (CNV) portfolio combines flexibility and sensitivity by providing catalog and custom microarrays designed specifically for researchers studying aberrations and copy number variations in numerous organisms. To take advantage of the true power of the Agilent CGH/CNV system, researchers need a platform that provides high throughput with minimal operator intervention, without sacrificing accuracy or sensitivity. A new method was developed to automate CGH/CNV sample fragmentation, labeling, purification, and pre-hybridization setup in a 96-well format by using the Agilent Bravo Automated Liquid Handling Platform. Protocols for both the standard enzymatic (Genomic DNA Enzymatic Labeling Kit) and ULS (Genomic DNA High-Throughput ULS Labeling Kit) methodologies have been developed and validated with VWorks Automation Control software. The new workflow, compatible with both SurePrint HD and G3 microarrays, enables superior performance across the entire Agilent CGH/CNV portfolio. Throughput is increased and hands-on time is decreased, with no compromise in data quality.