August 31, 2015. AxioMx Inc., a leader in the development of high-quality recombinant antibodies, announced today that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded the company a Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant (1R41DK104602-01), which will be administered by the NIH’s National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. AxioMx will use this award to develop a technique for isolating antibodies against complex antigens composed of cross-linked protein-DNA complexes.
The site-specific binding of proteins to DNA, exemplified by transcription factor (TF)-gene promoter complexes, plays an important role in cell development, cell signaling, the cell cycle, and diseases such as cancer, infection, and inflammation. Researchers in these fields have a critical need for affinity reagents to identify the presence of such complexes and the conditions under which they form.
The advent of next-generation sequencing (NGS) has paved the way for chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq), a technique that allows researchers to identify the specific DNA-binding sites at which proteins interact directly with the genome.
“Many of our customers are eager to harness the power of ChIP-seq to explore epigenetic mechanisms and gene regulation,” said Dawn Alderman, director of automation & production at AxioMx. “However, many express frustration with the difficulties associated with procuring functional, TF-specific antibodies that are suitable for ChIP-seq. We’re excited about the prospect of satisfying this unmet research need.”
“This research will allow AxioMx to apply our innovative antibody generation methods to target a complex antigen source that mimics the natural state of the TF protein bound to its cognate DNA-binding site,” said Michael Weiner, chief scientific officer and founder of AxioMx. “The award of this grant indicates the high scientific caliber and uniqueness of this project, and we look to advance the study of DNA-protein complexes.”
About AxioMx Inc.
AxioMx, founded in 2012 and based in Branford, Connecticut, is a leader in recombinant antibody technologies. Its founders, Chris McLeod and Dr. Michael Weiner, are life science entrepreneurs who have previously led successful genomics, next-generation sequencing, microfluidics, bioinformatics, and proteomics organizations. AxioMx’s unique platform of proprietary phage display libraries, Rapid Liquid Screening, and affinity maturation methods enables the fast delivery of recombinant antibodies with high specificity, affinity, and reproducibility that are optimized to perform a desired application. The company offers a full range of custom antibody discovery and development services for the research, diagnostic, and therapeutic marketplaces, including the new AxioMx Express custom antibody service which provides 5 week development of research use recombinant antibodies. For more information about AxioMx, please visit www.axiomxinc.com.
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