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By using photolithography to manufacture its DNA probe arrays, Affymetrix is able to produce the highest-density chips available for large-scale genetic studies.
The Power of GeneChip Technology
The key to Affymetrix’ GeneChip technology is a manufacturing process that uses photolithography to build hundreds of thousands of DNA sequences on small glass chips. This process borrows from semiconductor industry technology, and thus, also benefits from the principles of Moore’s Law, which states that the computing power of semiconductor chips doubles every 12 to 18 months. In a similar fashion, Affymetrix has been able to increase the genetic information on its DNA probe arrays from 250 genes per chip in 1994 to over 12,000 genes per chip today by shrinking the feature size on its chips. In the same timeframe, the price per data point has decreased by a factor of more than ten. Consequently, GeneChip technology is uniquely suited for facilitating the high information content studies that are becoming the standard in genomics research.
Expanding Informatics Capabilities
Through the acquisition of Neomorphic, Inc., in October 2000, Affymetrix gained important informatics capabilities, including powerful new technologies for combining, visualizing and interpreting sequence information. Affymetrix researchers will leverage these capabilities, integrating genomic sequence information with EST (expressed sequence tag) information, to deliver a comprehensive view of key genomes on GeneChip arrays. Finally, Affymetrix will provide “click-through” Internet access that enables researchers to seamlessly connect their array-based results to underlying genomic databases and annotations.
Scanning Entire Genomes
To leverage its robust technological capabilities and capitalize on the availability of the human genome sequence, Affymetrix formed Perlegen Sciences, Inc., a new genomics company, in 2000. Perlegen was founded with the objective of scanning 50 human genomes. With initial exclusive access to whole wafer technology developed by Affymetrix, Perlegen will focus on identifying the millions of genetic variations among individuals and finding patterns in those variations. Affymetrix intends to maintain a substantial equity position in Perlegen and will have access to certain of its discoveries for the development of new genotyping arrays.