Technology Package

DArT is a high-throughput genotyping system based on a microarray platform which requires a substantial level of integration of various elements, ranging from wet science to appropriate hardware, software, chemicals and consumables.

This need for integration is driving many SNP-typing platforms to develop within heavily centralised corporations. DArT does not require as high a level of investment as alternative technologies, but it benefits from economy of scale and integration into a package of smoothly interacting components. Although the molecular principles of DArT technology are straightforward, we have spent several years developing an integrated technology package comprising of:

• "Wet science"
• Consumables
• Hardware
• DArT Software
• Intellectual Property

Wet science

We have developed substantial know-how in all aspects of DArT, from complexity reduction methods (having tested dozens of methods on dozens of genomes) to the most effective organisation of workflow to perform DArT assays.

Consumables

We are continuously interacting with a number of microarray platform technology providers to develop and test cost-effective consumables. We have tested large number of array substrates and developed our own products ("DArTspotter", a thoroughly optimised printing buffer) to consistently produce high-quality DArT arrays.

Hardware

We have evaluated nearly all hardware options for array printing and scanning and identified a very efficient equipment package to perform DArT assays in high-throughput.

DArT software

We have developed dedicated analytical software (DArTsoft) and a Laboratory Information Management System - LIMS (DArTdb) designed around the workflow of DArT assays.

Also read more about applications of DArT.