Agilent Technologies Announces First Microarray Certified Service Provider in Korea

Agilent Technologies Inc has announced that DNA Link, Inc has achieved Certified Service Provider status for Agilent microarray platform. Certification is for array-based comparative genomic hybridisation

(aCGH) and microRNA (miRNA) applications, both representing fast growing segments for the Agilent genomics business.

aCGH measures chromosomal duplications and deletions, while miRNA is a recently-discovered class of small non-coding RNAs estimated to regulate about 30% of all human genes. Both are implicated in regulating gene expression and function in relating to human diseases. Most recently, an international team led by researchers at Seoul National University had published a breakthrough study using customdesigned Agilent CGH array to sequence the entire gene map of a Korean male.

“DNA Link is the first Agilent Certified Service Provider in Korea. It has established facility and well-trained staff to support our expanding applications and customer base in Korea,” said Dr. Chris Tan, Agilent Director of Sales, Genomics and Life Sciences, Asia Pacific and Japan. “This is a critical milestone for us in this strategically important market in Asia Pacific. Through this partnership with DNA Link and its close network with academic universities and government institutions, Agilent is in the best position to provide incomparable service to the customers in Korea with high quality genomic solutions”

DNA Link is an emerging leader in medical genetics research with strong alliances with major laboratories. Under this partnership, DNA Link will be able to offer a full portfolio of applications backed with high quality array data from Agilent. The establishment of aCGH technology, in particular will enable DNA Link to best service the medical genetics / cytogenetic community in Korea.

“We’re pleased to add Agilent microarray platform in our service portfolio,” said Jong-Eun Lee, PhD, CEO of DNA Link, Inc. “Agilent’s cytogenetic tools is going to be a main focus area for us and the flexibility that the platform supports offers unlimited possibilities for researchers in Korea.”