Agilent Technologies and BGI to Collaborate on Next-Generation Super Array for Disease and Drug Research

Agilent Technologies Inc and BGI have announced a collaborative effort to develop methodologies designated for next-generation genome-wide association studies. The methodologies will assist scientists pursuing disease and drug research. The goal of the collaboration is to create a nextgeneration super exome, using Agilent’s SureSelect

technology. The super exome incorporates sequence regions believed to be more informative for specific human populations. BGI is the largest genome sequencing centre in Asia and one of the largest genomics research centres in the world.

“BGI aims to develop research collaborations and provide support to scientists all over the world,” said Hui Jiang, Associate Director of the Science and Technology Department at BGI. “Together with Agilent’s expertise, we can create more precise and accurate technology that can be deployed in largescale research to better understand complex diseases, which may have differences between ethnicities.

”As part of this collaboration, BGI has selected to use Agilent’s comprehensive portfolio of solutions for genomics research and next-generation sequencing tools. These include Agilent’s SureSelect target-enrichment system and Agilent’s 2100 bioanalyzers. Additionally, Agilent will grant BGI early access to newly developed tools for the

sequencing space.

“Agilent has a comprehensive portfolio of marketleading solutions for genomics research,” said Robert Schueren, Vice President and General Manager of Agilent's genomics business. “This partnership with BGI will not only add to this portfolio, but also further Agilent's mission to build products that enable life sciences discoveries and develop solutions that improve the human condition." BGI and Agilent have been working closely together over the years. Previously, BGI used Agilent’s technologies to streamline and enhance the throughput of BGI's next-generation  sequencing workflow. In China, BGI became the country’s first certified SureSelect XT service provider.