GeneChip® Mapping Arrays are high-density arrays containing thousands of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). These mapping arrays enable linkage, association, and copy number studies at a high throughput and at a lower cost per sample.

The assays are simple and require only a single PCR primer. PCR primer is designed to identify regions of the genome linked to or associated with a particular trait or phenotype. It is useful for determination of allele frequencies in various populations and for mapping regions with loss of heterozygosity during cancer progression. This method captures a majority of the same SNPs across many samples.

Each SNP on a GeneChip Mapping Array is interrogated with approximately 40 different probes, enabling GeneChip® Software to make highly accurate, automated genotype calls. With GeneChip Mapping Arrays, Affymetrix is bringing whole-genome analysis to the benchtop and enabling researchers to perform experiments in days that previously required weeks or months.

The new Affymetrix® Genome-Wide Human SNP Array 6.0 features more than 1.8 million markers for genetic variation, including more than 906,600 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and more than 946,000 probes for the detection of copy number variation. Large number of SNPs available will allow for higher density genome wide mapping sets. This will increase the amount of information that can be extracted for linkage and association studies.