Lims chosen to automate dairy DNA analysis

A 'critical element' in plans to expand the services offered as a high-throughput commercial DNA testing facility for the New Zealand bovine industry

Thermo LabSystems says that GeneMark, the largest commercial bovine DNA analysis service in New Zealand, is to implement its Nautilus Lims (laboratory information management system) to support its scientists in the automation of laboratory and associated activities.

Based in Hamilton, New Zealand, and operated and owned by Livestock Improvement, GeneMark offers a range of DNA-based testing and services to ensure New Zealand farmers benefit from advances in biotechnology.

These services include single gene testing, parentage testing, DNA extraction, and DNA sample storage.

Laboratory processes to be automated through the deployment of Nautilus include sample submission, laboratory processes, and results interpretation and processing.

Commenting on the decision to select Nautilus, GeneMark manager Simon Yarrow said: "Nautilus is a critical element in our plans to expand the services offered by GeneMark as a high-throughput commercial DNA testing facility for the New Zealand bovine industry.

This investment will provide GeneMark with an integrated solution to meet our current and identified future requirements." Regarding system functionality, Yarrow added: "In particular, the plate handling and its ability to integrate with instruments is strong, the user interface is very intuitive and the configurability of the package is a real plus.

Thermo LabSystems is one of the leaders in the biotechnology software market and has shown a willingness to invest in developing a quality product".

Launched in June 1999, GeneMark holds more than 50,000 animals' DNA profiled on its database, and this continues to grow daily.

Several different types of sample are submitted, including blood, hair and semen.

GeneMark's laboratory processes are carried out on 96-well or 384-well plates.

Nautilus will be integrated with a range of laboratory technology including PCR robotics, automated sequencers and gene mapping software used for high throughput automated allele calling.

Referring to Nautilus's implementation at GeneMark, Yarrow commented: "Our target is to go live with Nautilus around the end of October, at the end of a four month process.

This is an aggressive timeframe, but I am confident we can work with Thermo LabSystems to achieve each milestone in the project." Thermo LabSystems claims Nautilus offers the bioresearch community new levels of user empowerment, sample traceability, and instrument integration.

The latest version of the product offers powerful data management capabilities for micro-array and microtiter plate handling, and sequencer integration and offers superior support for cDNA library management, SNP Scoring and genotyping.

Nautilus benefits customers in genomics and proteomics through the extraction of information and knowledge from the vast data volumes generated in high throughput experimentation and screening.

The system supports compliance with FDA Ruling 21 CFR Part 11 on electronic signatures and records.

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