deCODE operates the largest and most advanced high-throughput microsatellite genotyping facility in the world, supported by world-class scientists in genetics, robotics, statistics, and informatics. Our capacity is currently 30 million genotypes per month. Backed by years of experience we created the most complete genetic map of the human genome and have an unrivalled track record in mapping and validating disease genes for common complex diseases.

• Time saving - We provide a complete service, including DNA extraction from blood or whole genome amplification (if needed), PCR, fragment analysis, and automated allele calling.


• Speed - We rapidly transform your linkage-mapping projects from sample to data utilizing our high-throughput platform with a capacity to perform 1 million genotypes per day.


• Quality - Your samples are processed by our experienced team that is dedicated to quality and customer service, ensuring that the samples are handled with care and efficiency.


• Accuracy - We deliver high quality data with greater than 99.5% accuracy of genotyping calls, using our proprietary allele calling software and validation methods.

deCODE's services are designed to provide rapid, highly accurate, high-throughput data for linkage analysis. deCODE can process various types of samples, perform a genome-wide scan or fine-mapping screen, and deliver quality-controlled genotypes within weeks. deCODE offers several types of microsatellite genotyping services:

• Genome-wide scans: We perform a genome-wide scan at 3 average marker densities, 2 cM (2000 markers), 4 cM (1000 markers) or 8 cM (500 markers). All markers in our genome-wide scan marker sets have been genetically mapped.


• Fine-mapping: We perform fine-mapping screens using markers you select from our over 15,000 in-house designed and validated markers or we can develop new markers specific for your needs.


• Customized marker sets: We have also developed custom marker sets, including a very high-density MHC region specific marker set and a population stratification set.

deCODE accepts various types of samples. We extract DNA from whole blood and buffy coat samples utilizing our in-house developed semi-automated platform for high quality, high-throughput DNA extraction. deCODE also offers to amplify DNA from samples with limited amounts of DNA using an optimized protocol for whole genome amplification.

deCODE has created an automated sample processing and tracking software platform to support high-throughput data generation and monitoring. Samples are tracked using barcode labels and non-personally identifiable tracking numbers. We keep our clients updated about each step in processing the samples.

PCR reactions are set up in multiplex reactions with fluorescently-labeled primer pairs selected to amplify highly informative di-, tri-, and tetra-microsatellite loci. deCODE has performed extensive optimization of each primer pair to improve performance and reliability. deCODE's facility is equipped with 4 high-throughput liquid handling robots with a total capacity to handle samples from over 1000 individuals per day in preparation for genome-wide scans.

CEPH family DNA is used as control. We do not request pedigree information, although data on family relationships between individuals in a sample set will allow more accurate quality control.

Amplified fragments are analyzed by capillary electrophoresis utilizing ABI 3730 DNA analyzers. deCODE has optimized the protocol for rapid, accurate, and cost-effective analysis.

deCODE uses it's proprietary deCODE Allele Caller (DAC) software for automated allele calling. The analysis consistently gives greater than 99.5% accuracy of genotyping calls.

Genotyping results will be reported as allele sizes of the polymorphic markers of called alleles as well as values normalized to a CEPH individual. The data report is delivered as a ASCII text file compatible with existing genetic linkage software packages such as deCODE's Allegro software, GeneHunter Plus, Fastlink, etc. The data is delivered via a secure ftp server, which can be accessed with a personal username and password. The data will belong solely to you.

deCODE aims to deliver complete genotyping data and reduce changes of errors. For samples of sufficient quality, deCODE aims to complete 95% of the attempted genotypes in a genome-wide scan with less than 0.5% genotype error.

deCODE's marker sets for genome-wide scans are based, in part, on the ABI HD Marker Linkage set and on in-house designed and validated markers originally selected from Marshfield's genetic map. The location and order of the markers has been analyzed using deCODE's high-resolution human genetic map. For fine-mapping, deCODE has designed and validated over 15,000 microsatellite markers distributed across the human genome. We provide a list of markers that we have tested and successfully used for genotyping in the region(s) you are interested in analyzing.

For more information, please contact services@decode.com.