Family Tree DNA Launches Family Finder DNA Test Using Affymetrix ...

Family Tree DNA Launches Family Finder DNA Test Using Affymetrix Microarray Technology

Advanced Genealogical Test Uses Axiom Technology from Affymetrix to Match Family Members Across All Ancestral Lines

Family Tree DNA, the first and largest genealogical DNA testing company, today announced the launch of the Family Finder DNA test for connecting family members across all ancestral lines. The test utilizes Affymetrix' (NASDAQ:AFFX) recently launched Axiom(TM) genotyping technology and the GeneTitan(R) System to confidently match a wide range of family relationships within five generations.

Family Finder represents a major advancement over earlier genealogical tests, which revealed only connections along specific paternal lines (for males) or maternal lines (males or females). Family Finder enables anyone, regardless of gender, to look for connections such as grandparents, aunts and uncles, half siblings, and first, second, third, and fourth cousins.

"This is the most exciting genetic genealogy breakthrough since 2000, when Family Tree DNA launched its Y-DNA test to uncover relatives in the direct paternal line," said Bennett Greenspan, founder and CEO of Family Tree DNA. "The comprehensive, genome-wide coverage of Axiom Arrays enables us to offer consumers the most advanced genealogical test available at a price that is attractive to our customers. In addition, the automated GeneTitan System allows us to process hundreds of samples at a time with minimal hands-on time for maximum efficiency."

The Family Finder test analyzes the DNA of two individuals using Axiom Array Plates containing nearly 570,000 genetic markers, including many that are relevant to genealogy. Family Tree DNA then analyzes the resulting data with internally developed algorithms to determine the closeness of the relationship. The complete Axiom Genotyping Solution includes array plates, complete reagent kits, and an automated workflow that enables scientists to process more than 760 samples per week.

Family Tree DNA offers counseling services, tutorials, and other helpful tools to assist in the genealogy and matching process, and provides names and email addresses of matched individuals whenever possible for easy communication.

"The Family Finder test represents a huge step forward for the direct-to-consumer genetic genealogy market and the application of microarray technology," said Kevin King, president and CEO of Affymetrix. "Now anyone can utilize the power of the Axiom Genotyping Solution and the GeneTitan System to find and connect with a broader range of family members than ever before."

For more information about the Family Finder test, please visit http://www.familytreedna.com.

For more information about Affymetrix products for genetic research, please visit http://www.affymetrix.com.

About Family Tree DNA

Founded in April 2000, Family Tree DNA (http://www.familytreedna.com) was the first company to develop the commercial application of DNA testing for genealogical purposes, something that had previously been available only for academic and scientific research. Almost a decade later, the Houston, Texas-based company has a database with over 290,000 individual records - the largest DNA database in genetic genealogy, a number that makes Family Tree DNA the prime source for anyone researching recent and distant family ties. In 2006 Family Tree DNA established a state-of-the-art Genomics Research Center at its headquarters in Houston, where it currently performs R&D and processes over 200 advanced types of DNA tests for its customers, including the new Family Finder test.

About Affymetrix

Affymetrix technology is used by the world's top pharmaceutical, diagnostic, and biotechnology companies, as well as leading academic, government, and nonprofit research institutes. More than 1,900 systems have been shipped around the world and more than 21,000 peer-reviewed papers have been published using the technology.

Affymetrix is headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif., and has manufacturing facilities in Cleveland, Ohio, and Singapore. The company has about 1,000 employees worldwide and maintains sales and distribution operations across Europe and Asia. For more information about Affymetrix, please visit http://www.affymetrix.com.

The Axiom Genotyping Solution and the GeneTitan Instrument are for research use only and are not for use in diagnostic procedures.

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SOURCE: Affymetrix