Life Technologies system used in groundbreaking research

Life Technologies has revealed that its Applied Biosystems SOLiD System has been utilised in potentially groundbreaking research into Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

The genomic analysis device was used by Baylor College of Medicine doctors Richard Gibbs and James Lupski to identify the specific genetic causative mutation associated with the inherited neurological disorder.

This represents the first time an exact cause of genetic disease has been isolated with whole genome sequencing, an advance which could lead to the development of new treatments.

Shaf Yousaf, president of genomic analysis for Life Technologies, said this was an example of the potential of devices such as the SOLiD System in diagnostic research.

He added: “There is tremendous opportunity to apply this research as proof-of-principle and rapidly advance the discovery of other rare genetic variants associated with disease.”

This comes after new research was published last month which used the SOLiD System to highlight the potential of gene research in monitoring the progression of disease.