CARLSBAD, Calif. - July 28, 2009 - The University of Queensland’s Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB) and Life Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: LIFE), today announced a strategic scientific research collaboration to study pancreatic and ovarian cancer in Australia. This landmark study involves the genomic analysis of pancreatic and ovarian tumors, using advanced sequencing technology from Applied Biosystems, part of Life Technologies, to advance translational research. This study utilizes genomic information to potentially develop therapeutic solutions for these diseases, which kill more than 3,000 Australians each year.
Through this collaboration, IMB is scaling its use of the SOLiD System by acquiring nine new systems for a total of 11 instruments. The IMB is deploying SOLiD technology for its participation in the International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC), an international effort among 11 countries and funding agencies to perform comprehensive analyses of the genomic changes underlying eight types of cancer. The SOLiD System will be used by IMB to study 500 pancreatic and ovarian tumors and will compare the genomic information with that of normal tissue samples. Applied Biosystems instrument service and support, along with bioinformatics analytical support will also be utilized to better understand and identify the amount, kind, and specific location of genetic variations within the tumors.
The SOLiD System will enable the IMB scientists to systematically sequence and map genetic changes that occur in each of these cancers and help provide the foundation for identifying new therapies, diagnostics and preventive strategies. In almost all forms of cancer, there are changes that impact the genomes, or genetic blueprint of cells, which cause disruptions within normal biological pathways, leading to uncontrolled cell growth.
Sean Grimmond, Ph.D., group leader in the genomics and computational group at The University of Queensland’s Institute for Molecular Bioscience “The SOLiD System will enable us to conduct complete genomic surveys of cancerous tumors and better understand the factors, including structural variants and single nucleotide polymorphisms, which are promoting uncontrolled growth within the tumor. By discovering the genes that are the key suspects in driving a cancer, we can begin to develop targeted drug therapies.”
Mark Stevenson, President and Chief Operating Officer of Life Technologies “Life Technologies is committed to working with institutions around the world to help deliver upon the potential of translational research. We believe that our collaboration with the University of Queensland’s Institute for Molecular Bioscience will enable the application of scientific discoveries into clinical outcomes such as new diagnostics and treatments, accelerating the promise of personalized medicine.”
About Applied Biosystems Products
Life Technologies’ Applied Biosystems brand is a global leader in providing innovative, optimized instrument systems and workflows to accelerate academic and clinical research, drug discovery and development, pathogen detection and forensic DNA analysis. Through its Applied Biosystems and Invitrogen brand of reagents, kits and bench-top devices, Life Technologies markets the most comprehensive portfolio of solutions for molecular and cell biology. Applied Biosystems and Invitrogen products are used in nearly every major laboratory in the world. For more information, please visit: www.appliedbiosystems.com and www.invitrogen.com.
About Life Technologies
Life Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: LIFE) is a global biotechnology tools company dedicated to improving the human condition. Our systems, consumables and services enable researchers to accelerate scientific exploration, driving to discoveries and developments that make life even better. Life Technologies customers do their work across the biological spectrum, working to advance personalized medicine, regenerative science, molecular diagnostics, agricultural and environmental research, and 21st century forensics. Life Technologies had sales of more than $3 billion in 2008, employs approximately 9,500 people, has a presence in more than 100 countries, and possesses a rapidly growing intellectual property estate of approximately 3,600 patents and exclusive licenses. Life Technologies was created by the combination of Invitrogen Corporation and Applied Biosystems Inc. For more information on how we are making a difference please visit our website: www.lifetechnologies.com.
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