Microarray Technology
Bead-Based Microarray Technology
Illumina microarray technology (also known as BeadArray technology) uses silica microbeads. On the surface of each array, or BeadChip, hundreds of thousands to millions of genotypes for a single individual can be assayed at once. These tiny silica beads are housed in carefully etched microwells and coated with multiple copies of an oligonucleotide probe targeting a specific locus in the genome.
How Do Illumina Microarrays Work?
As DNA fragments pass over the BeadChip, each probe binds to a complementary sequence in the sample DNA, stopping one base before the locus of interest. Allele specificity is conferred by a single base extension that incorporates one of four labeled nucleotides. When excited by a laser, the nucleotide label emits a signal. The intensity of that signal conveys information about the allelic ratio at that locus.
Trusted Microarray Technology
Trusted data quality and exceptional coverage of valuable genomic regions make our Infinium genotyping arrays the platform of choice by leading institutions for high-throughput screening and large-scale research programs. Infinium technology produces exceptional data quality and call rates, as well as consistent reproducibility. We offer a broad range of microarray options based on SNP complexity and sample throughput.
Infinium-Powered Array Progress
Since the launch of our first BeadChip, we have innovated microarray solutions to help researchers advance science.
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Methylation Array Technology
Infinium methylation technology allows highly accurate and precise quantification of methylation levels in the genome. Use the Infinium methylation assay to detect cytosine methylation at the level of single CpG sites.
How Customers Use Our Microarray Technology
Consumer Genomic Testing Services Gain a Presence in India
Anu Acharya describes why the combination of low cost and high quality led Mapmygenome to choose Illumina microarrays.
Polygenic Risk Scores Could Become Useful Tools in the Physician's Toolbox
Researchers use genome-wide association studies to better understand the genetic risk loci associated with depression.
High-Throughput Genotyping Informs Livestock Breeding
Using Infinium microarrays, GeneSeek achieves average call rates > 99.3% and 99.9% concordance.
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Popular Products
Infinium XT
Infinium XT is a comprehensive microarray solution that enables production-scale genotyping of up to 50,000 single or multi-species custom variants.
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Infinium Global Screening
A next-generation genotyping array for population-scale genetics, variant screening, pharmacogenomics studies, and precision medicine research.
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Infinium Global Diversity
Robust methylation profiling microarray with extensive coverage of CpG islands, genes, and enhancers. Use for epigenome-wide association studies.
View ProductMicroarray Selection Tools
Library Prep & Array Kit Selector
Find the right microarray or library prep kit for your needs. Filter by method, species, and more. Compare, share, and order kits.
Gene Panel and Array Finder
Search human microarrays by genomic location or variant ID, or find arrays for other species.
Frequently Purchased Together
Microarray Selection Tools
Library Prep & Array Kit Selector
Find the right microarray or library prep kit for your needs. Filter by method, species, and more. Compare, share, and order kits.
Gene Panel and Array Finder
Search human microarrays by genomic location or variant ID, or find arrays for other species.
Microarray Technology Tips
DNA Strand Designations
Learn about the different strand designations found in Illumina array manifests and GenomeStudio projects.
Guidelines for Identifying TOP/BOT Strand and A/B Allele
A step-by-step method to help you understand this nomenclature for single nucleotide polymorphisms.
How to Interpret DNA Strand and Allele Information for Array Data
When comparing genotyping data, it is important to use the same DNA strand designation.
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Related Applications
Microarray Techniques
Illumina microarrays offer high-quality data and exceptional genomic coverage to propel genomic studies of any size.
Human Genotyping
Human genotyping arrays are ideal for processing thousands of samples to identify variants associated with traits and disease.
Methylation Array Analysis
Methylation arrays enable high-throughput, quantitative interrogation of methylation sites across the genome at single-nucleotide resolution.
Microarray Data Analysis
Software tools for array experimental design, sample tracking, and analysis of microarray data.
Featured Publications
Wojcik, G.L., Graff, M., Nishimura, K.K. et al. Genetic analyses of diverse populations improves discovery for complex traits. Nature. 2019;570(7762),514–518.
Capper, D., Jones, D., Sill, M. et al. DNA methylation-based classification of central nervous system tumours. Nature. 2018;555(7697),469–474.