Genetic and environmental factors strongly influence risk, severity and progression of age-related macular degeneration.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is characterized by complex interactions between genetic and environmental factors. Here we genotyped the selected 25 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 983 cases with advanced AMD and 271 cases with intermediate AMD and build an AMD life-risk score model for assessment of progression from intermediate to advanced AMD. We analyzed the performance of the prediction model for geographic atrophy progressors or choroidal neovascularization progressors versus non-progressors based on the 25 SNPs plus body mass index and smoking status. Our results suggest that a class prediction algorithm can be used for the risk assessment of progression from intermediate to late AMD stages. The algorithm could also be potentially applied for therapeutic response, and toward personalized care and precision medicine.

Erratum: Genetic and environmental factors strongly influence risk, severity and progression of age-related macular degeneration.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1038/sigtrans.2016.16.].

AutoGenomics, Inc.

AutoGenomics has created an automated multiplexing microarray platform to make genomic and proteomic analyses routine and efficient for clinical and research laboratories. While the emergence of microarrays has advanced genomic analyses, a number of underlying issues, such as cross-hybridization, poor spot morphology and intrinsic fluorescence of the solid substrate, have yet to be fully resolved. Current methods use discrete instrumentation, are manual and require highly skilled labor, which leads to inconsistent results. AutoGenomics' automated platform uses a three-dimensional BioFilmChip microarray to circumvent these issues, providing optimal spot morphology and utilizing solution-based hybridization with allele-specific primer extension to improve single-base discrimination. AutoGenomics is developing applications for the early detection and management of complex disease states in oncology, cardiology, and mental disorders. Customers include clinical reference laboratories, hospitals, academic institutions, and pharmaceutical and biotech companies. Founded in 1999, the company is headquartered in Carlsbad, California, USA.