Sequenom's MassArray going after SNPs linked to type 2 diabetes

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) has contracted with Sequenom (San Diego) to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) linked to type 2 diabetes mellitus, and to determine the SNP frequency in different populations. NIDDK will provide individual samples of affected and control DNA for analysis with Sequenom's MassARRAY technology, which can screen SNPs from hundreds of samples simultaneously.

Scientists at the NIDDK in Phoenix have found a link to type 2 diabetes mellitus in Pima Indians, which, as a group, has the highest known incidence of this disease of any population in the world. A similar link has been reported in the Old Order Amish and Caucasians living in Utah, indicating that diabetes susceptibility locus likely exists. To characterize the genetic variation underlying this linkage, researchers must identify and analyze a number of SNPs at discrete intervals and use the data in association analyses.

Sequenom's MassArray system combines enzymology and bioinformatics in a miniaturized chip. The system relies on the fidelity of enzymatic primer extension reactions combined with a proprietary, miniaturized DNA array and MALDI-TOF (Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight) mass spectrometry to deliver results rapidly. Its ability to accurately distinguish single base changes in DNA fragments eliminates the need for tags, simplifying product detection and result analysis.

Andreas Braun, Sequenom's chief medical officer, said, "This research requires the screening of hundreds of SNPs to identify differences in allele frequency between diabetic and non-diabetic populations. Sequenom has the ability to analyze these SNPs in a single sample pool containing DNA from hundreds of individuals through the use of automated assay design and the accuracy of our MassARRAY system. This type of study has been simply impractical and unaffordable using other technologies. With the use of the MassARRAY system, we are now able to reduce the time and costs required to do such a study by a factor of 100 or more."

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases conducts and supports research on many of the most serious diseases affecting public health. The institute supports clinical research on the diseases of internal medicine through investigator-initiated grants, program project and center grants, and career development and training awards. The institute also supports research and development projects and large-scale clinical trials through contracts.

Sequenom is focusing on the new field of industrial genomics, the large-scale commercial use of the understanding of DNA variations for improving health and agriculture.

For more information: Sequenom Inc., 11555 Sorrento Valley Rd., San Diego, CA 92121. Tel: 858-350-0345. Fax: 858-350-0344.

Edited by Laura DeFranceso