Fluidigm Corporation has announced that MLL Munich Leukemia Laboratory (www.mll.com) has purchased Access Array^TM and EP1^TM Systems. The Access Array System is being used in combination with Roche's 454 GS FLX and GS Junior sequencing instruments, enabling high-throughput targeted deep-resequencing analyses. The EP1 System is being used for rare mutation detection studies and minimal residual disease investigations.

MLL combines diagnostic competences in cytomorphology, immunophenotyping, molecular genetics, and cytogenetics to provide patients with hematological malignancies with optimized, individualized, and highly reliable diagnoses. 

"The number of molecular markers used to categorize myeloid neoplasms is constantly increasing. Amplicon-based next-generation sequencing is a suitable method to accurately detect and quantify the variety of molecular aberrations with high sensitivity (Kohlmann A et al., J Clin Oncol. 2010; 28:3858-65).  We recently have added next-generation amplicon deep-sequencing to the portfolio of molecular diagnostic tests as part of our daily routine operations," said Prof. Torsten Haferlach, co-founder and CEO of MLL. 

"Combining the Access Array and 454 sequencing systems delivers a robust and streamlined workflow that minimizes the number of manual steps required for targeted sequencing applications. MLL's installation is a perfect match for the capabilities of these systems that will enable high-quality analyses," said Gajus Worthington, president and CEO of Fluidigm. "Adding the EP1 System to the molecular diagnostic workflow will further enhance the detection and quantification of cancer mutations."

Fluidigm develops, manufactures and markets proprietary Integrated Fluidic Circuit (IFC) systems that significantly improve productivity in life science research. Fluidigm IFCs enable the simultaneous performance of thousands of sophisticated biochemical measurements in extremely minute volumes. These "integrated circuits for biology" are made possible by miniaturizing and integrating liquid handling components on a single microfluidic device. Fluidigm systems, consisting of instrumentation, software and chips, increase throughput, decrease costs and enhance sensitivity compared to conventional laboratory systems.

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