BANGALORE, India: Avesthagen Limited achieves another milestone as it announces the launch of its commercial Whole Genome Scanning (WGS) service in India.

The human genome contains all of the biological information needed to build and maintain an organism. DNA is essentially made of four kinds of molecules, called bases that are arranged in a sequential order to form a unit known as gene. The triplet of bases in the gene encode for amino acids that are building blocks of proteins that carry out most of the cellular activities. A change/mutation in the base-pair sequence of the gene(s) could indicate that either certain proteins are not formed or are processed differently, which may result in disease.

Identifying the mutation in the gene(s) could tell us the risk (predisposition) of getting a particular disease in his/her lifetime. Disease risk is one way of describing the likelihood of a person developing a particular disease.

Avesthagen will use Affymetrix technology to decipher the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and predisposition to the disease. The DNA chip used for whole genome scanning features 1.8 million markers of genetic variation that include SNPs and probes for copy number variation (CNV).

A whole genome scan of an individual would provide information to understand his/her own genetic make-up that would lead to an increased awareness about the predisposition to disease(s). The diseases include major types of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's, asthma, anemia, arthritis and others.

A streamlined sample collection and delivery system, will give Indian customers access to personalized genomics services, which until now was unavailable. Avesthagen will leverage its expertise in genomics and high throughput facilities (200 samples per month) for carrying out these analyses.

The whole genome scan will be carried out on DNA extracted from saliva / buccal swab provided by the individual that can be ordered via email to info@avesthagen.com. The results of the analyses will be available through a secure web portal within 15 days after receiving the sample.

The report will consist of

1) List of the various diseases to which the person is predisposed.

2) Risk ratio of the disease occurrence and the association of the disease to the mutation.

    The Whole Genome Scan is currently being offered at 1000 USD.
    Phone: +91-80-28411665
    Website: http://www.avestawellbeing.com
    For more information : http://www.avesthagen.com/docs/PR220311.pdf

SOURCE Avesthagen Limited.