PerkinElmer has teamed up with Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Pathology Department and Cancer Center to develop a new sequencing informatics system that can be used in advanced cancer research to profile genetic changes in tumors.
The firm has entered into an agreement with two researchers of the cancer center, Dr. John Iafrate and Dr. Long Le, under which it will develop an automated sample preparation and data analysis system for cancer genotyping in clinical research.
PerkinElmer claims that the new system, which will be developed based on its informatics platforms called Geospiza, will improve the way cancer is treated by defining key genetic targets through genotype analysis and leveraging clinically required information from them.
Commenting on the new system’s possible support to the research, Dr. Le said, "A key challenge presented by next generation sequencing applications in clinical research is not only maintaining high efficiency and throughput via automation solutions, but also ensuring that the informatics driving the instrumentation provides transparency and traceability for the entire process."
As part of the agreement, the firm will improve its Geospiza GeneSifter Laboratory and Analysis edition software platform and upgrade present laboratory processes and equipment with LIMS and data analysis capabilities.
PerkinElmer president of Life Sciences & Technology Kevin Hrusovsky said that supporting the MGH Pathology Department and Cancer Center in their critical cancer research forms part of the company’s objective to eradicate cancer.
"We are delighted to provide MGH with a complete next generation sequencing informatics and sample preparation solution to help advance their medical research," Hrusovsky said.