Oxford, September 11^th, 2006. Oxford Gene Technology (OGT) has extended its Chip² family of ChIP on chip microarray products with the addition of four prokaryote species. These include Escherichia coli 0157, Salmonella typhimurium LT2, Salmonella typhimurium SL1344 and Streptomyces coelicolor and bring the total number of products in the family to five. Earlier in the year OGT launched its first product in the Chip² family, an E.coli K12 ChIP on chip microarray.        

The Chip² microarrays can be used to identify the binding positions of global DNA-binding proteins, analyse changes in a particular protein’s binding under various environmental conditions, as a model system to further understand gene regulation or to reveal potential therapeutic targets against a prokaryotic species.   

Each Chip² microarray is fabricated using OGT’s ink-jet in-situ synthesis (IJISS) platform and interrogates the genome of interest with a probe density of 22,000 oligonucleotide features. ChIP microarray data generated can then be analysed in relation to its relative gene position using an OGT developed ChIP browser, reducing the time taken to analyse the data.       

Dr Mike Evans, Chief Executive of OGT, said: “The extension to the Chip² family of microarray products illustrates OGT’s commitment to progress its product development programme. Each additional Chip² product has been developed and validated by a leading scientist in the prokaryote field including Professor Jay Hinton from the Institute of Food Research, Norwich, UK; Professor Colin Smith, University of Surrey, UK and Professor Charles Penn, University of Birmingham, UK.”       

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For further information, please contact:  

At Oxford Gene Technology:

Nicola Booton-Mander, Marketing Manager – nicola.booton-mander@ogt.co.uk

Oxford Gene Technology
Begbroke Science Park,
Sandy Lane, Yarnton
Oxford OX5 1PF

T: +44 1865 856352
F: +44 1865 842116
E: products@ogt.co.uk

W: www.ogt.co.uk 

Media Enquiries:

Sarah Jeffery, 0207 886 8150 / s.jeffery@northbankcommunications.com

Annabel Entress, 0207 886 8150 / a.entress@northbankcommunications.com

Notes to editors

About ChIP

Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) is a well-established and reliable method used to identify the DNA binding site of a protein of interest.  Chip² microarray products combine the strengths of OGT microarrays with chromatin immunoprecipitation.  Chip² microarrays provide a powerful technique that can be used to analyse and identify the precise positions on the genome where DNA: protein interactions occur.

Chip² microarray products from OGT offer:

·         The ability to screen whole prokaryotic genomes on one array at high resolution

·         High sensitivity resulting from the use of validated 60mer oligonucleotide microarrays

·         High quality microarrays at a cost effective price due to fabrication using ink jet in-situ synthesis (IJISS)

·         Reduced preparation time as the sample requires no PCR amplification 

·         Two colour microarrays enabling test and control samples to be hybridised on the same array saving valuable time and experimental costs 

About Oxford Gene Technology

·         Founded in 1995 by the pioneer of Southern Blotting, Professor Sir Edwin Southern, OGT operates out of Begbroke Business Park near Oxford, with good access to a growing network of life science companies

·         OGT offers a comprehensive custom microarray consultancy service, from experimental design through all stages to data analysis and interpretation. It has a strong proven track record in providing custom microarray service in a range of applications, and recently announced the launch of its first microarray product, an Escherichia coli K12 ChIP on chip, the first ChIP microarray product to be launched as part of  OGT’s Prokaryotic Chip² family

The key focus areas of OGT include: 

1.            Array-based application products and services for life science research and molecular diagnostics. OGT’s flexible and cost-effective, customised DNA microarray service covers a range of applications, offering specialist support and assisting customers with every aspect of their research, from initial consultation and experimental design to probe selection, array design and fabrication through to data analysis and interpretation 

2.            Development of innovative platform products for clinical research and diagnostics 

3.            Licensing. OGT operates an open licensing policy which has successfully provided access for a number of companies to OGT's fundamental intellectual property, particularly in the area of microarrays 

4.            Scientific collaborations to generate diagnostic biomarker intellectual property 

For further information on OGT visit http://www.ogt.co.uk/ 

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