Sample Submission Guidelines
Why Genetic Diversity Research Needs Advanced SNP Genotyping
Understanding human genetic diversity is essential for population genomics, drug discovery, and large-scale association studies. Yet researchers often face a critical challenge: many genotyping platforms were designed using reference data that under-represent global populations. This limitation reduces the accuracy of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and restricts insights into genetic variants with clinical or agricultural relevance.
The Infinium Global Diversity Array (GDA) was developed to address this gap. With more than 1.8 million carefully selected markers, the array captures genetic variation across diverse ancestries, improving both coverage and resolution. For research institutes, CROs, and pharmaceutical R&D groups, this means more reliable genotyping results, stronger statistical power, and globally relevant datasets.
By combining high-resolution SNP coverage with Illumina's robust Infinium technology, the Global Diversity Array provides an efficient, scalable solution for projects that demand accuracy across varied populations. It enables researchers to move beyond single-population studies and build a foundation for inclusive, comparative genomics research.
What Is the Infinium Global Diversity Array?
The Infinium Global Diversity Array (GDA) is a high-density genotyping platform developed by Illumina to support population-scale genetic studies. It builds on the proven Infinium chemistry and delivers robust, reproducible SNP genotyping results.
Two versions of the array are commonly used in research:
Infinium Global Diversity Array-8 (GDA-8) – a medium-throughput format designed for academic projects and targeted cohort studies.
Infinium Global Diversity Array-24 (GDA-24) – a high-throughput option that enables large-scale studies, making it ideal for CROs and pharmaceutical research teams.
Both arrays include more than 1.8 million carefully selected single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), with an emphasis on representation across multiple global populations. This makes them powerful tools for genome-wide association studies, ancestry research, and pharmacogenomics.
By combining comprehensive marker coverage with flexible throughput options, the Infinium Global Diversity Array enables researchers to select the platform best suited to their project scale and budget, while maintaining high consistency across datasets.
Choosing Between Infinium GDA-8 and GDA-24
The Infinium Global Diversity Array offers two throughput formats to fit different project needs. Both platforms deliver identical SNP marker content and quality, but differ in scale and efficiency.
| Feature | Infinium GDA-8 | Infinium GDA-24 |
|---|---|---|
| Throughput | Medium-throughput | High-throughput |
| Samples per array | 8 | 24 |
| Best suited for | Academic projects, targeted cohorts, pilot studies | Large-scale population studies, CRO, pharma R&D |
| Advantages | Cost-effective for smaller sample sets; same SNP content as GDA-24 | Lower cost per sample; scalable for thousands of samples |
| Data comparability | Fully comparable with GDA-24 | Fully comparable with GDA-8 |
| Typical users | Universities, research institutes | CROs, pharmaceutical companies, large consortia |
Key Advantages of Infinium Global Diversity Array Service
The Infinium Global Diversity Array service provides several benefits that make it a preferred choice for researchers conducting large-scale SNP genotyping studies.
- Comprehensive genome coverage
With more than 1.8 million markers selected from global reference panels, the array offers balanced representation across populations. This ensures improved variant detection and supports inclusive research.
- Flexible throughput options
Researchers can choose between the Infinium GDA-8 for moderate sample sizes or the Infinium GDA-24 for high-throughput projects. Both formats deliver consistent performance and cost efficiency.
- High accuracy and reproducibility
Built on Illumina's Infinium technology, the platform is known for its robust chemistry and standardised workflow. This consistency is essential for cross-cohort and multi-site collaborations.
- Cross-project comparability
The array is widely adopted in academic, CRO, and pharmaceutical research. Using a common platform ensures data comparability across studies, facilitating meta-analyses and global research consortia.
By combining coverage, throughput flexibility, and reproducibility, the Infinium Global Diversity Array service enables researchers to overcome limitations of smaller or population-restricted genotyping panels. It provides the data quality required for confident conclusions in population genomics and beyond.
Workflow
Applications Across Research and Industry
The Infinium Global Diversity Array service supports a wide range of research areas by providing reliable SNP genotyping across diverse populations. Its broad coverage and scalability make it valuable in multiple domains:
Human genetics and population genomics
The array is widely used in genome-wide association studies (GWAS), ancestry research, and population structure analysis. By including markers representative of diverse ancestries, the platform enables more inclusive and accurate genetic studies.
Pharmaceutical R&D and CRO projects
CROs and pharmaceutical teams apply the array in pharmacogenomics and biomarker discovery. Consistent, high-density SNP genotyping helps researchers evaluate genetic variability in drug response studies and translational biology projects.
Agricultural genomics
Beyond human studies, the array supports livestock and crop genetics research. Its high-resolution SNP coverage can accelerate breeding programs and improve understanding of genetic variation in agricultural species.
Large-scale cohort studies
The Infinium GDA-24 format is particularly suited to national or international consortia where thousands of samples must be genotyped with accuracy and consistency.
By enabling applications across human, pharmaceutical, and agricultural research, the Infinium Global Diversity Array provides a versatile tool for organisations seeking robust genotyping data at scale.
Data Quality and Reliability Backed by Industry Standards
High-quality and reproducible data are essential for population-scale SNP genotyping. The Infinium Global Diversity Array service is built on Illumina's Infinium technology, which has been widely validated across academic and industry research projects.
Several features contribute to data reliability:
Validated chemistry and workflow
Infinium technology is an established platform with robust hybridisation and extension chemistry, ensuring consistent results across batches and sites.
Adoption in global research consortia
The Global Diversity Array has been applied in large international studies, including multi-ethnic GWAS projects and pharmacogenomics initiatives. Its use across consortia demonstrates confidence in its accuracy and comparability.
Rigorous quality control (QC)
At CD Genomics, every project undergoes strict QC steps, from DNA input assessment to genotyping data filtering. This guarantees reliable results for downstream statistical analyses.
Reproducibility across cohorts
Standardised workflows ensure that data generated from different sites or time points remain directly comparable. This is critical for longitudinal studies and collaborative research.
By combining Illumina's proven platform with CD Genomics' expertise in project management and bioinformatics, researchers can be confident in both the accuracy and reproducibility of their genotyping results.
Why Partner with CD Genomics for Infinium GDA Services?
Selecting the right service provider is crucial for maximising the value of the Infinium Global Diversity Array (GDA). At CD Genomics, we combine advanced technology with deep expertise in population genomics and SNP array analysis to deliver reliable and actionable results.
Our strengths include:
End-to-end project support
From sample QC, DNA extraction, and array processing to bioinformatics analysis, we manage every step of the workflow to minimise variability and accelerate project timelines.
Experienced technical team
Our specialists have extensive experience with Illumina Infinium technology, ensuring accurate genotyping and seamless data processing.
Customised bioinformatics solutions
We provide comprehensive analysis pipelines, including SNP calling, quality assessment, population structure analysis, and GWAS-ready datasets.
Scalable collaborations
Whether supporting a pilot academic project or managing a large CRO or pharmaceutical R&D program, we offer flexible capacity to match project size and complexity.
By partnering with CD Genomics, researchers gain access to proven workflows, advanced bioinformatics, and a service model designed to support high-quality SNP genotyping at any scale.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is the Infinium Global Diversity Array used for?
The Infinium Global Diversity Array (GDA) is used for large-scale SNP genotyping, enabling population genomics, GWAS, ancestry studies, pharmacogenomics, and agricultural genetics research.
Q2: What is the difference between Infinium GDA-8 and GDA-24?
Both arrays contain identical SNP content (>1.8 million markers). The difference lies in throughput: GDA-8 supports smaller projects or pilot studies, while GDA-24 is designed for high-throughput genotyping of large cohorts at lower per-sample costs.
Q3: How reliable are the results from Infinium Global Diversity Array?
The platform is built on Illumina Infinium technology, validated globally, and widely adopted in large research consortia. CD Genomics applies strict QC measures throughout sample preparation and data analysis to ensure accuracy and reproducibility.
Q4: What kind of data deliverables can I expect?
Deliverables typically include raw genotype data, quality control reports, and processed SNP datasets ready for downstream analysis, such as population structure studies or GWAS.
Q5: Why should I choose CD Genomics for this service?
CD Genomics offers end-to-end Infinium Global Diversity Array services, combining sample preparation, genotyping, and bioinformatics expertise. Our flexible capacity supports both small academic projects and large-scale CRO or pharmaceutical R&D collaborations.
Demo
GWAS Manhattan plot from Infinium Global Diversity Array-8 cohort.
CNV and LOH tracks from infinium global diversity array with cytogenetics 8.
Representative SNP cluster plot from Illumina Infinium Global Diversity Array.
Polygenic risk score summary from infinium global diversity array-8 cohort.
