Agilent Technologies' exome target-enrichment system to analyze 1,500 samples in erasmus genetic population study

Agilent Technologies today announced that Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands, has selected the Agilent SureSelect XT Human All Exon target enrichment system along with the Agilent Bravo automated liquid-handling platform as part of the Erasmus Rucphen Family study to identify genetic risk factors for some complex genetic disorders. The researchers are studying reduced heterozygosity exhibited by residents of one Dutch village compared to the general population, and any relationship this has with risk factors for type-2 diabetes or cardiovascular disease. In this portion of the project, exomes from 1,500 samples will be sequenced. SureSelect XT includes biotinylated RNA library "baits," hybridization buffers, and optimized gDNA prep and library prep kits. Investigators produced 50 exomes per week during each of three consecutive months, including analysis. The workflow uses the Agilent Bravo liquid-handling platform to automate DNA library prep and in-solution enrichment.