Pleasanton, CA, USA, August 19, 2014 / B3C newswire / - Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) and the Garvan Institute of Medical Research today announce a collaboration to develop new technologies for targeted epigenomic analysis using DNA sequencing. Genomics is a rapidly evolving field with a focus on realizing the potential use of sequencing information in patient diagnosis and treatment. More recently, epigenetics - the heritable changes in gene expression that are not caused by changes in the DNA sequence or genetic code, but rather involve secondary chemical modifications of the DNA and the structural proteins in chromosomes - is being recognized as playing an important role in a host of biological processes and their role in cancer has been increasingly investigated. Due to the myriad of epigenomic events responsible for influencing expression of genes in chromosomes, more advanced methods are being sought to accurately analyze these changes.
Under the terms of the two-year discovery agreement, the Garvan Institute and Roche will collaborate to develop new methods to accurately analyze regions of the epigenome. The collaboration brings together the world-leading genomics expertise and infrastructure at the Garvan Institute and the best-in-class products for target enrichment from Roche NimbleGen, part of the Roche Sequencing Unit. As part of the agreement, the SeqCap Target Enrichment System from Roche will be used by scientists at the Garvan Institute to further their research in epigenetic influences on human diseases.
“This is an excellent example of collaboration between a leading edge company and research institute in the development of advanced technology for genetic analysis, which will empower more research into human biology and disease, and lead to many translational opportunities,” said Professor John Mattick, Executive Director of the Garvan Institute.
“In addition to our recent investments in sequencing platform technologies, our research team is working closely with key opinion leaders to advance sequencing applications of current and future technologies,” said Tom Albert, Head of Research at Roche’s Sequencing Unit. “This collaboration with the Garvan Institute illustrates the potential of SeqCap Target Enrichment products in additional sequencing applications for epigenetic research. This brings us closer to delivering sequencing applications to the clinic that offer truly differentiated medical value.”
Financial terms of the collaboration are not disclosed.
For more information about Roche NimbleGen, please visit www.nimblegen.com.
About the Garvan Institute of Medical Research
The Garvan Institute of Medical Research was founded in 1963. Initially a research department of St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney, it is now one of Australia’s largest medical research institutions with over 600 scientists, students and support staff. Garvan’s main research areas are: Cancer, Diabetes & Metabolism, Immunology & Inflammation, Osteoporosis & Bone Biology, and Neuroscience. Garvan’s mission is to make significant contributions to medical science that will change the directions of science and medicine and have major impacts on human health. The outcome of Garvan’s discoveries is the development of better methods of diagnosis, treatment, and ultimately, prevention of disease.
About Roche
Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is a leader in research-focused healthcare with combined strengths in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. Roche is the world’s largest biotech company, with truly differentiated medicines in oncology, immunology, infectious diseases, ophthalmology and neuroscience. Roche is also the world leader in in vitro diagnostics and tissue-based cancer diagnostics, and a frontrunner in diabetes management. Roche’s personalised healthcare strategy aims at providing medicines and diagnostics that enable tangible improvements in the health, quality of life and survival of patients. Founded in 1896, Roche has been making important contributions to global health for more than a century. Twenty-four medicines developed by Roche are included in the World Health Organisation Model Lists of Essential Medicines, among them life-saving antibiotics, antimalarials and chemotherapy.
In 2013 the Roche Group employed over 85,000 people worldwide, invested 8.7 billion Swiss francs in R&D and posted sales of 46.8 billion Swiss francs. Genentech, in the United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche is the majority shareholder in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan. For more information, please visit www.roche.com. All trademarks used or mentioned in this release are protected by law.
For further information please contact:
Roche Sequencing
Beth Button
Phone: +1 317 847 5172
Email : beth.button@roche.com
Garvan Institute of Medical Research
Katrina Frankcombe
Phone: +61 2 9295 8491
Email: k.frankcombe@garvan.org.au
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