Version 1.1 has the following new features:
* Possibility to use different gene IDs, such as Refseq ID, LocusLink ID or Hugo ID.
* Choose your preferred annotation database: gene coordinates are provided from three biggest annotation databases - Ensembl, Vega and NCBI RefSeq.
* Gene orientation is added, so it is possible to select gene 5' or 3' flanking regions separately.
* Support for latest dbSNP version, currently dbSNP116 with 4.8 million SNPs.
* Output contains data about heterozygosity, if available.
  

08.2003 SNP Assistant - New software for genetic analysis is available.
   

The SNP genotyping studies are growing larger in terms of both – number of markers and samples analyzed. In the situation of high volumes of data, the ability to effectively manage, store, manipulate and analyze your data becomes critical. Asper Biotech, the SNP genotyping company, and BioData, the SNP bioinformatics firm have combined their efforts for producing a next generation tool for handling SNP genotyping data.

  
“We see researchers in the academic as well as commercial setting benefiting from the SNP Assistant. Anyone with a database of SNP genotyping results would welcome the options for structuring and managing their data with the user friendly tool with excellent visualization capabilities”, says Dr. Maido Remm, CSO of BioData.

SNP Assistant^TM is an easy-to-use tool for single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) management, validation and analysis, including features like:

-          Marker and sample validation

-          Case-control & TDT tests

-          LD calculation and publication level visualization

-          Relationships testing

-          Comparison of datasets

SNP Assistant is not platform dependent and handles genotyping results from all major technology platforms, enabling groups with different technologies to work in similar environments.

Free fully functional trial version (time restricted) of the software is available from BioData’s website http://www.biodata.ee/SNPassistant.htm. 

About BioData

BioData is a bioinformatics company offering genotyping-related services and products. It is 100% subsidiary of Asper Biotech. BioData was spun of to allow wider access to its unique competence and experience in the field of SNP genotyping related bioinformatics.

Other BioData products include programs for automatic SNP selection, PCR primer design, PCR multiplexing, and microarray design.

More about BioData at www.biodata.ee

About Asper Biotech

Asper Biotech uses its primer extension genotyping platform for SNP genotyping and mutation detection. Asper is a partner for association studies and pharmacogenetics projects for the research community, as well as biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies.

More about Asper Biotech at www.asperbio.com 

07.2003 Asper's development and sales of products and services were certified to be in accordance with ISO 9001:2000 quality standards

Asper's products and services meet requirements which have been established by a quality system that complies with the ISO 9001:2000 requirements and which have been impartially certified by BUREAU VERITAS QUALITY INTERNATIONAL and to which certificate No. 134295 has been issued.

Asper's product development and genotyping service has been certified to be in accordance with ISO 9001 quality standards since 2000. The follow-up evaluations in July of 2001 and 2002 revealed that the standards have become a routine in the company's daily operations. 

The previous standard, ISO 9001: 1994, did not cover sales or services other than genotyping provided by Asper.