Affymetrix (Santa Clara, California) said that researchers around the world have used the Affymetrix Genome-Wide Human SNP Arrays 5.0 and 6.0 to uncover important links between copy number variations (CNVs) and schizophrenia. Researchers from the U.S., Europe and Asia published their findings in recent issues of Nature and Nature Genetics.

"This is the first high-resolution, family-based study which examined in a systematic manner whether rare copy number mutations contribute to sporadic schizophrenia," said Maria Karayiorgou, MD, professor of psychiatry at Columbia University Medical Center (New York). "The Affymetrix technology made it possible for us to discover that de novo copy number mutations account for at least 10% of the non-familial cases of this devastating disease. Now that we better understand what brain development pathways are involved with schizophrenia, we can look at better ways of treating it in the future."

Affymetrix GeneChip microarray technology assists in analyzing complex genetic information.

Exact not in Nasdaq securities compliance

Exact Sciences (Marlborough, Massachusetts) said it has received a letter from the listing qualifications staff of the Nasdaq stock market indicating that the company has not regained compliance with the $50 million market value of listed securities requirement set forth in Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 4450(b)(1)(A).

The staff has indicated that the company's common stock is subject to delisting from Nasdaq and trading in the company's shares would be suspended at the opening of business on August 21, 2008 unless the company requests a hearing before a Nasdaq listing qualifications panel.

Exact Sciences uses applied genomics to develop screening technologies for use in the detection of cancer.