Cytocell Chromoprobe Multiprobe^® non-human FISH probes set to benefit animal husbandry and research

Oxford Gene Technology (OGT), The Molecular Genetics Company, has developed a new range of non-human fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) probes, for pig, chicken and mouse. The probes were developed as part of an Innovate UK knowledge transfer partnership (KTP) funded project in collaboration with the University of Kent, and was given an ‘outstanding’ award reserved for the top 10% of KTP projects.

The resulting Cytocell Chromoprobe Multiprobe^® Porcine, Chicken and Mouse products add to the extensive catalogue of human Cytocell FISH probes already available and demonstrate OGT’s expertise and capabilities for the rapid development of high-performance FISH probes.

Detecting a wide range of chromosomal aberrations in these species is now achieved with specific, clear, high-intensity signals and minimal background, delivering quality, reproducible results. The probes were developed using OGT’s rapid probe development capability and proprietary Chromoprobe^® technology which effectively simplifies the FISH procedure and makes it safer and quicker to use. Enabling multiple FISH probes to be hybridised on the same slide, the Chromoprobe Multiprobe System also allows rapid screening for a number of DNA sequences in a single analysis, and can be customised according to requirements.

Dr Martin Lawrie, Executive Vice President of Group Manufacturing at OGT commented; ‘We are proud to have our project awarded ‘outstanding’ by Innovate UK, placing us in the top 10% of the projects. The results speak for themselves — we’ve demonstrated that the probes deliver results that make a real-world difference to UK businesses — highlighting the continued excellent quality of our Cytocell FISH probes from design and rapid development through to reliable results’.

The new line has a variety of potential agricultural and research applications that translate into significant cost savings. For example, JSR Genetics, a leading UK pig genetics and pig farming specialist, used the Chromoprobe Multiprobe Porcine probes to test a boar siring low numbers of piglets per litter, uncovering a causal DNA translocation. Grant Walling at JSR explains; ‘Early knowledge of genetic aberrations such as these could save significant amounts of money in animal husbandry — in this particular case we would estimate identifying that specific boar alone before it was used would be worth £21,000 — by ensuring the litter sizes were not compromised. The Cytocell probes make this possible in an easy, quick and cost-effective manner’.

The KTP project is the latest in a series of high-profile projects awarded to OGT. Recently the company won a contract from the Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) to develop whole genome next generation sequencing (NGS) analysis software to increase the accuracy, and enhance the analysis of genomic sequence data. The award of such projects validates OGT’s core genomic technology expertise, which incorporates FISH, microarray, NGS and data interpretation. These initiatives further support the development of innovative new products to help fuel the latest scientific research and create exciting career opportunities across the OGT Group.

OGT is also planning to extend the Cytocell Chromoprobe Multiprobe range with a cattle version already in development.

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