25/01/12: Agilent Launch Feature Extraction v.11
January 25, 2012 by Peter · Leave a Comment
This should be of interest to all of you who are using an Agilent scanner to scan your microarrays.
Agilent are pleased to announce the launch of the new standalone Feature Extraction version 11. Feature Extraction 11 represents an evolution in Agilent’s standalone software capability and is able to extract data from all Agilent’s microarrays, including CGH+SNP arrays.
Along with Feature Extraction 11 there is the introduction of the new QC Chart Tool v2.0, which is now integrated to Feature Extraction and installed with it.
In addition, the Feature Extraction product page has been updated to include the link to download the new FE 11.
17/01/12: Agilent Pre-Conference Workshop at AGBT 2012, February 15th
January 17, 2012 by Peter · Leave a Comment
Sounds pretty good:
Agilent’s Pre-Conference Workshop at AGBT
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 | 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Save the Date! Register for Agilent’s Pre-Meeting Workshop and be the first to hear about Halo Genomics’ revolutionary products for Next Gen Sequencing. Agilent will be hosting keynote researchers for an in-depth review of cutting-edge research.
Speakers Include:
Edwin Cuppen Ph.D., Hubrecht Institute
Alexander Hoischen Ph.D., Radboud University Medical Centre
Andrew Brown Ph.D., Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR)
John Stamatoyannopoulos Ph.D., University of Washington
John Mcpherson Ph.D., The Ontario Institute for Cancer Research
Somasekar Seshagiri Ph.D., Genentech
And more keynotes TBA!
More details and Registration Here
16/01/12: Agilent miRNA Microarray Product Update: miRBase 18.0 content now available
January 16, 2012 by Peter · Leave a Comment
Agilent have announced that new probes and annotations based on the latest miRBase release 18.0 (http://www.mirbase.org/) are now available in eArray.
Releasing the v18 probes in eArray allows researchers to design a miRNA microarray containing content specific for their experimental needs. In eArray, it is possible to create a custom miRNA design using probes to target any miRNA for any species included in miRBase.
The excellent quality of Agilent’s miRNA arrays, plus the ability to run 6 samples per microarray slide, makes them an excellent choice for miRNA researchers.
16/01/12: Agilent Genomics User Meeting 1st/2nd March 2012, at Sanger Genome Campus
January 16, 2012 by Peter · Leave a Comment
I have just heard that Agilent is organising a Genomics User Meeting to be held at the Wellcome Trust Conference Centre at the Sanger Genome Campus on 1st and 2nd March 2012.
The two days will cover researchers’ entire genomics workflow for microarrays and next generation sequencing and Agilent will be announcing some new product launches during the meeting. Good reasons to go!
The meeting is FREE to attend and will include all meals and refreshments, including a 3 course dinner on the Thursday evening. However you should arrange your own travel and accommodation.
There are a number of hotels available nearby including the Holiday Inn Express in Whittlesford http://www.hiexpresscambridgeduxford.co.uk/ and the Red Lion in Hinxton http://www.redlionhinxton.co.uk/.
Rooms are also available on site at a rate of £88.50 per night including breakfast. To book please call the conference reception on 01223 495000.
Please book as soon as you can as there are only 50 rooms available. The venue provides complementary car parking for all delegates and free wifi in all rooms.
PLEASE NOTE: Places at the meeting are limited so Agilent will be accepting registrations on a first come first served basis. Thank you for your understanding.
Please reply to me through the contact page to register your interest in the meeting and state any special dietary requirements. Also please let me know if you would be interested in presenting your research using Agilent’s genomics solutions during the meeting, in the form of a talk or poster.
02/01/12: Paper Demonstrating Use of SureSelect to Capture Methylated DNA
January 2, 2012 by Peter · Leave a Comment
There was a paper recently published using SureSelect in solution to capture methylated DNA (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22151801). It is a nice proof of principle, showing that methylation capture can be performed with SureSelect.
15/12/11: Agilent Launch the 2200 TapeStation System
December 15, 2011 by Peter · Leave a Comment
OK, I am way way behind in updating my news section. This particular product was launched about a month ago under the Agilent banner. I’ve already been on a couple of customer demonstrations with it and am very impressed with the ease-of-use and fast sample processing. This is coming from a huge fan of the 2100 Bioanalyzer (which is a brilliant instrument).
There is a short and informative video explaining the TapeStation system on You Tube, which I’ve embedded below. Please take a few minutes to watch it. You’ve gotta love the flying ScreenTapes:
The new Agilent 2200 TapeStation system offers scalable throughput and rapid results, making it an ideal solution for quality control of biological samples in next-generation sequencing (NGS), microrarray and qPCR workflows, as well as in protein purification and antibody production.
The 2200 TapeStation system uses credit card-sized, disposable Agilent ScreenTape that is available for DNA, RNA and protein applications. Sample analysis has never been so easy – simply load the 2200 TapeStation instrument with ScreenTape, loading tips, and your samples in tube strips or 96-well microtiter plates – and you will be reviewing results in approximately 1 minute per sample!
There is a demonstration TapeStation available in the Nordic countries that I can get access to. A demonstration will take about 90 minutes in total (it is really very fast). If you would like a demonstration, or would like to learn more, please contact me.
02/12/11: Agilent Acquires Halo Genomics for DNA Target Enrichment Technology
December 2, 2011 by Peter · Leave a Comment
Wow, it’s been a while since I posted. Organising seminars takes it out of you. Anyway, I heard about this yesterday and think it is a very interesting development.
Agilent’s SureSelect is a great technology, but Halo Genomics’ technology seems to fit a hole in the diagnostic applications field. I already had one customer who tried it out and was happy. This is what Agilent’s press release has to say about Halo Genomic’s technology:
“Halo Genomics’ technology addresses sequence-selective (or “target enrichment”) sample preparation in next-generation sequencing. The company’s proprietary HaloPlex technology combines the speed and specificity of polymerase chain reaction-based systems with the scalability and capture-size flexibility of solution-based hybridization formats, thus eliminating the need for library preparation. This fast and simplified target enrichment solution for next-generation sequencing helps to remove bottlenecks associated with targeted resequencing without the use of expensive, dedicated instrumentation or laborious protocols.
Halo Genomics’ current HaloPlex technology is offered as a customizable product, using a Web-based design tool called Web Design Wizard. This highly intuitive tool enables users to create designs in less than 10 minutes, at no charge.”
Actually, I had heard good things about Halo Genomics software and that this tool looked great for diagnostic sequencing applications.
All-in-all, an acquisition I like.
04/10/11: Information on Agilent’s Autumn Promotions for Genomics Researchers
October 4, 2011 by Peter · Leave a Comment
Agilent are running a bunch of promotions on genomics-related product this Autumn (actually it’s turning out to be the nicest time of year, given the wet Summer). They are summarized here:
- Bioreagents: Buy 3 Stratagene products, get the cheapest one for 1 DKK
- Brilliant III: Buy 1 kit of Brilliant III qPCR reagents, get a second one for free
- Genespring & microarrays: Get 50% off your Genespring data analysis software annual licence when you order > DKK 112K of genomics products
- SureSelect: Buy 1 SureSelect target enrichment kit and get a second one for free (valid for 5 to 25 reaction kits)
- SureCycler bundles: Combine our SureCycler 8800 PCR instrument with our Mx 3005P real-time PCR instrument or with our microchip electrophoresis system (Bioanalyzer 2100 or Lab 901 TapeStation) and get 30% off your bundle
You can also go to the Official Agilent Autumn Promotion page.
Save time by contacting me directly if you are interested.
26/09/11: Symposium on 2nd Generation Sequencing, Copenhagen 28th September 2011
September 26, 2011 by Peter · Leave a Comment
This looks like being a really interesting meeting. Agilent will have an exhibit there, so if you plan on coming along, I hope to meet you.
Symposium on 2nd Generation Sequencing, Wednesday 28th September 2011, Lundbeck Auditorium, Biocenter, Ole Maaloes Vej 5, Copenhagen.
The meeting agenda can be downloaded here.
13/09/11: Free e-Seminar Today on “Use of Exome Sequencing to Identify Genetic Variants Contributing to Monogenic Forms of Type 2 Diabetes”
September 13, 2011 by Peter · Leave a Comment
A last minute alert to users (or those interested in) targeted exome sequencing. The seminar is free online, starts at 1700 Central European Time and titled
Use of Exome Sequencing to Identify Genetic Variants Contributing to Monogenic Forms of Type 2 Diabetes by Amélie Bonnefond (CNRS, Paris)
You can register here. You will need to do some downloading of WebEx software beforehand, so be ready for a few minutes delay…
26/08/11: Reminder – Upcoming Agilent Genomics eSeminars
August 26, 2011 by Peter · Leave a Comment
Link to Agilent’s registration page for these eSeminars is here.
Example subjects include CytoGenomics and Whole Exome Sequencing
23/08/11: New SureSelect Brochure and Educational Website Launched
August 23, 2011 by Peter · Leave a Comment
SureSelect has a new brochure and educational website, so without further ado, here they are:
1. New SureSelect Brochure. This new piece goes through the SureSelect product portfolio, at the same time highlighting all key SureSelect benefits.
2. New SureSelect Educational Website. The key goals of the new website are to help educate researchers on SureSelect and to help customers easily find support and sales documents. In the Educational website, you will find videos, webinars, publications, manuals/protocols, etc.
Select the DNA you need for your Next Generation Sequencing Project
16/08/11: Agilent Launch their SureScan Microarray Scanner!
August 16, 2011 by Peter · Leave a Comment
This is from Agilent’s press release of yesterday. Sounds pretty good (if you don’t want to read the corporate stuff, skip to the bottom of this post to find a couple of information sheets, as well as a picture of the new instrument):
Agilent today introduced the SureScan Microarray Scanner, the latest innovation in scanner technology and the foundation of Agilent’s complete microarray solution for both gene expression and CGH/cytogenetics research applications.
The new SureScan system delivers the highest sensitivity, widest dynamic range and exceptional resolution, providing researchers with the greatest degree of confidence in their microarray results.
In addition, the manufacturing process used on the SureScan Microarray Scanner is ISO 13485 certified, demonstrating Agilent’s commitment in assuring controlled processes.
The SureScan system offers a streamlined workflow, allowing researchers to continuously load microarray slides while the instrument is operating. With the system’s random scanning capability, they can also reprioritize and rearrange the scan queue order at any point during the operation.
Raw image data is automatically loaded into Agilent Feature Extraction software, eliminating manual transfer.
The compact Agilent SureScan Microarray Scanner (16.5 in. high, 17 in. wide and 26 in. deep) conserves bench space. The system also combines a newly designed slide cover and a built-in ozone barrier system to minimize dye signal degradation, protecting valuable samples.
Extremely sensitive results are achieved by the unique dynamic autofocus mechanism in conjunction with a detection limit of as low as 0.01 fluorophores per square micron. These enable users to capture quality data from samples with both low and high signals.
“Researchers can be confident that the new SureScan system will deliver consistently good microarray results for many years to come,” said Robert Schueren, Agilent vice president and general manager, Genomics. “With our market-leading portfolio of microarrays, custom microarrays, reagents and software, our customers can invest in one platform knowing that it will fit a wide range of research needs.”
As promised, here are two PDF files that give a nice overview of the SureScan Microarray Scanner and how you can get the best use out of it!
1. Surescan Microarray Scanner Technical Data Sheet
15/08/11: Agilent Bioreagent and SureCycler Promotion (Denmark only)
August 15, 2011 by Peter · Leave a Comment
How nice: promotion that is specific to researchers in Denmark! In summary, you get the following great offer:
Promotional offer on StrataClone PCR Cloning kits, Competent Cells and Quikchange Lightning Mutagenesis kits (PDF file)
- Receive a 20% discount on StrataClone PCR Cloning Kit
- Buy 3 packs of competent cells receive your cheapest pack for free (this can be any competent cell)
- Receive a 20% discount on QuikChange Lightning kits
Order Promo Code: 1106_QCL. Offers ends October 31, 2011
On the flyer you will see mention of Agilent’s new 8800 SureCycler PCR Instrument and 30% discount, if you purchase any bioreagent using the above offers.
11/08/11: Looking for a “Model Organism” SureSelect All Exome Kit?
August 11, 2011 by Peter · Leave a Comment
This is just a short email and “shout out” to those researchers who are doing next-gen sequencing on model organisms and are interested in Agilent’s SureSelect targeted sequencing product. Please contact me – I might well be able to help you!
01/08/11: Agilent SureSelect reaches a new Milestone: 100 Publications since launch in 2009!
August 3, 2011 by Peter · Leave a Comment
100 publications is a great reference source for researchers still unsure which technology they should use (the choice has expanded rapidly in those 2 years since SureSelect was released).
If anyone wants to receive some selected publications on SureSelect, please contact me using the form on the Contact Page.
Here is an extract from the press release:
Agilent’s Next-Gen Sequencing Target Enrichment System Cited in 100 Scientific Publications in Just Two Years
SANTA CLARA, Calif., Aug. 1, 2011 – Agilent Technologies Inc.
(NYSE: A) today announced that its SureSelect Target Enrichment System for next-generation sequencing has reached a significant milestone by playing a key role in 100 published studies since its introduction in early 2009.
The 100th article is posted in Nature Genetics online (July 2011), by Simon J. Girard et al., Centre of Excellence in Neuromics of Universite de Montreal. The investigators used SureSelect All Exon kits to enable them to identify mutations by analyzing schizophrenia sufferers and their unaffected parents. “A work of this scale would not have been possible before the era of high-throughput sequencing and exome capture,” Girard said. “Using the SureSelect kit, we were able to capture the exomes of 14 schizophrenia subjects and identify 15 de novo mutations. These mutations could be the hallmarks of a new era for the field of schizophrenia genetics.”
“The very rapid adoption of SureSelect by the genomics community is gratifying,” said Emily Leproust, Ph.D., Agilent director, Applications and Chemistry R&D. “We launched the first commercial in-solution target enrichment product just two years ago, and SureSelect’s performance and flexibility has led to it being the most commonly cited target enrichment tool on the market. It’s very exciting to see how researchers use SureSelect to overcome formidable challenges.”
SureSelect target enrichment has enabled researchers to identify mutations associated with more than 50 Mendelian diseases, 10 different types of cancer, and other complex diseases such as schizophrenia and Parkinson’s. The breakthrough findings of these studies published in high-impact journals demonstrate the research significance of targeted resequencing using SureSelect to enable the identification of variants associated with different diseases.
The SureSelect platform offers the most complete offering of catalog and custom capture kits, including comprehensive exome kits for human, mouse, and other model organisms, and flexible custom DNA or RNA target enrichment solutions, on all major next-generation sequencing platforms. In addition, Agilent offers library quantification qPCR kits and its Bioanalyzer line for next-generation sequencing library quality control. Agilent’s Bravo Liquid Handling System automates the next-generation sequencing workflow.
29/06/11: Agilent’s Summer Promotion on Genomics Products
June 29, 2011 by Peter · Leave a Comment
I am pleased to inform you (well, if you are a researcher in Denmark at least) of Agilent’s Summer promotion on genomics products. The promotion is valid from now(28 June 2011) until August 31st 2011. Headlines below, with a bit more detailed information beneath each heading
Contact me if you are interested.
Update 12 July: Agilent have a Summer Promotion webpage now live.
Purchase the New SureCycle PCR Instrument Together with the Mx3005P qPCR Instrument and get 30% off the Bundle
This is possibly the best offer of the whole promotion. The SureCycler is the hottest new instrument from Agilent, very cool (connect to it from a mobile device) with great specs. The Mx3005P is a well-proven and robust qPCR instrument that won’t let you down.
Purchase the Bioanalyzer with Agilent SureCycler 8800 or with >5000€ of Bioreagents and get 30% off the Total Bundle
Hmm. On second thoughts, perhaps this the the best of the Summer Promos. It really depends on what you are after. Of course, Bioreagents can mean a lot of things: PCR enzymes/kits, nucleic acid sample prep and qPCR reagents would be the most obvious. The combination of the Bioanalyzer with qPCR reagents sounds like a good combination to me, given that the Bioanalyzer is great for doing QC on RNA.
Get 50% off Absolutely RNA extraction kit when you purchase Bioanalyzer reagents
For those of you who are reguarly ordering Bioanalyzer kits (and that means lots of you), this is a great opportunity to try out one of Agilent’s best nucleic acid purification lines. The Absolutely RNA extraction kits come in a number of size options (mini-, micro- and nano-prep) and there are kits for miRNA and FFPE samples too. This is really a great excuse for you to try out these kits, especially if you haven’t had a lot of success with what you are currently using.
10,000€ discount on your genomics consumables order when you purchase an Agilent Bravo Automated Liquid Handling Platform
OK, so not everyone has the money available for an Agilent Bravo. However, if you are in the market for a small-footprint, very fast and accurate pipetting workstation, you really have to consider the Bravo. You will save many many days of work by having a Bravo in your lab, not to mention saving your pipetting thumb!
10,000€ (about DKK 75K) will get you a lot of genomics consumables.
Genespring and exon arrays: buy 5000€ of exon arrays and get 25% off your Genespring annual license, buy 10k€ of exon arrays and get 50% off the annual license.
Yes, it is that simple. Purchase Agilent’s high-quality exon arrays and get a big saving on the GeneSpring license (which you can then use to analyse all that lovely data and put into a biological context).
The Exon arrays are available for human, mouse and rat.
So that is the summary of Agilent’s Summer Promotion on genomics products. It looks pretty good to me and will mean that you come back from your Summer holiday with new gear to get into your research again after the break.
27/06/11: Break Free! Trade-In Your Affymetrix GeneChip Scanner and Get 50% off the Agilent Scanner
June 27, 2011 by Peter · Leave a Comment
This post is to alert genomics customers who have an Affymetrix system that Agilent are offering a trade-in deal that allows them to get 50% off the Agilent High-Resolution Scanner. Any arrays purchased at the same time will also receive the 50% promotional discount.
The promotion is valid from now until December 31st 2011. Further details are available on the Agilent website.
23/06/11: Webinar on Agilent’s SureSelect RNA Enrichment Kits
June 23, 2011 by Peter · Leave a Comment
Agilent’s SureSelect RNA Target Enrichment Kits offer the first and only commercial solution for focusing your RNA-seq studies on specific transcripts of interest, and discover what you could be missing.
Watch this presentation to learn how SureSelect RNA Target Enrichment Kits can enable you to:
- Discover more splice variants and fusion genes
- Detect allelic specific expression and rare genes
- Precisely measure gene expression levels with high sensitivity
- Streamline workflows and achieve deeper sequencing coverage
21/06/11: Comparing Affymetrix and Agilent Gene Expression Data in GeneSpring Software
June 21, 2011 by Peter · Leave a Comment
This is an online webinar from Agilent that addresses the above subject. It is held on June 24th.
To learn more about this webinar and register, please follow this link.
