Oxford Gene Technology (OGT), the molecular genetics company, today announces the launch of the SureSeq™ Myeloid Panel, a highly sensitive next generation sequencing (NGS) panel able to detect mutational changes in 25 genes in one comprehensive assay. The panel replaces the existing procedure of sequential analysis of single genes, to reduce the time and cost associated with identifying myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), a group of diseases that cause abnormal blood cell production.

Combined with OGT’s Cytocell fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) probes, the panel is part of a complete solution for understanding the causes of myeloid disease. FISH probes can be used as a first molecular technique to rule out chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) and other confounding disorders, after which, the SureSeq Myeloid panel can be used instead of existing sequential single-gene assays to further research the genetic causes of the disease.

The highly sensitive panel overcomes the challenges posed by heterogeneous samples, which may contain very low quantities of causative genetic variants. Research has validated the panel to accurately detect alleles down to 1% minor allele fraction (MAF) at a read depth of >1000x. OGT has worked closely with cancer experts including Professor Nick Cross (Director of the Wessex National Genetics Reference Laboratory, UK) and Mike Griffiths (Consultant Clinical Scientist at West Midlands Regional Genetics Laboratory, UK) to define the most up-to-date gene content for the panel.

Professor Nick Cross commented, “Currently the genetic characterisation of MPNs and related hereditary conditions can be time consuming and complex. The SureSeq panel should allow research into these disorders to become a much more standard procedure.”

Mike Evans, CEO of OGT commented, “Our SureSeq Myeloid Panel is part of OGT’s expanding NGS portfolio for cancer research, demonstrating OGT’s commitment to this important field. We look forward to announcing further new product developments, aimed at enhancing cancer detection and improving the laboratory workflow, over the next few months.”