The Infinium platform from Illumina is an extrememly high throughput SNP genotyping system that allows the identification and scoring of up to one million SNPs per single DNA sample. Unlike the Golden Gate assay that utilizes universal primers to amplify SNP-reactive DNA fragments, the Infinium assay relies on direct hybridization of genomic targets to array-bound sequences.  Allele specific primer extension is followed by fluorescent staining, signal amplification, scanning, and analysis using the Bead Studio software.  A schematic of the Infinium assay is shown to the right.

Due to the high number of SNPs that can be analyzed on infinium chips, simplicity of sample preparation, and relative ease of data analysis, this platform has been widely exploited for dozens of major studies in human genetics. These include whole genome association studies, population genetic analyses, and copy number variation investigations, to name a few. For further information on the different applications enabled by Infinium, consult the Illumina publications web site.

Numerous configurations of human sequence-based infinium chips are available, designed to satisfy the different needs of particular studies.  Since we're just beginning our infinium service, we can't claim to be experts in determining which chips would be the most suitable for particular experiments.  However, we can mediate interactions with the Illumina technical support staff and jointly design a plan to initiate and, if results seem promising, follow through on a specific protocol to obtain the required data with the appropriate materials.

In addition to the human chips, Illumina offers high throughput genotyping in bovine (50,000 SNPs/sample) and canine (20,000 SNPs/sample) formats.  Infinium arrays representing other organisms of agricultural and scientific importance will be available soon.  Illumina also will design and produce custom infinium chips, called iSelect, which can query between 7,000 and 60,000 SNPs/sample.  This provides customized genetic analysis at a level unavailable through other platforms or assays. 

The primary role of the DNA Technologies core will be to order the materials and run the assays.  The Infinium chips provide unprecedented levels of detailed genetic data, but they are expensive.  Careful experimental design regarding sample preparation and selection, as well as considerations of the downstream data analysis of the huge datasets produced, will require careful thought and expert scientific input. We can serve as your connection to the Illumina technical support groups for some of these issues if desired.

The bottom line is, as always, that if you are interested in exploiting this platform for your studies then we want to talk to you!