Sheffield NHS lab is sure about CytoSure arrays

Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust has seamlessly transferred to the CytoSure ISCA 8x60k platform from Oxford Gene Technology (OGT). As the result of a highly stringent National Health Service (NHS) tender for the supply of oligo-based cytogenetics research arrays, the product was selected based on the quality of data and analysis software. In fact, it was the only platform able to correctly identify all the genetic abnormalities tested.

Microarray technology is now a routine part of the clinical research workflow; however, advancing array design and analysis capabilities mean that identifying the best platform and supplier can be challenging. As such, the NHS carried out a comprehensive comparison of multiple array platforms in order to select the most effective solution, considering quality of results, ease of use and cost, via a consortium led by four prominent laboratories.

Chosen over alternative array suppliers, the success of OGT’s CytoSure ISCA array, designed in partnership with the International Collaboration for Clinical Genomics (ICCG), was attributed to a combination of the array and CytoSure Interpret Software performance. Every lab submitted a set of challenging samples to be processed by OGT, and the results came back clean and clear, with the data interpretation software greatly facilitating analysis.

The aneuploidy summary plot allows rapid identification of whole chromosome gains and losses.

Maintaining productivity within the laboratory, OGT worked hard to ensure a seamless transfer process. In addition to getting the system up and running, the team also provided on-site operational training, software tutorials and transfer of local legacy data to the CytoSure Interpret Software database.

From the practicality of high-throughput, plate-based labelling through to enhancing overall operation in a cost-effective manner, the Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust has reaped the rewards of switching to the microarray platform. A three-month data audit has also revealed more accurate aneuploidy calling, leading to fewer uncertain cases and saving time and resources involved in follow-up investigations.

Kath Smith, a consultant clinical scientist at Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, said the implementation of the new system has been very beneficial. She stated, “I can only be extremely positive about the whole process of switching to OGT’s CytoSure platform - so if anyone asks me if it’s worth the time and effort of transferring, the answer is a clear yes.”