CARLSBAD, Calif. - January 29, 2009 - Applied Biosystems, a division of Life Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: LIFE), today announced that the University of Texas at Austin has chosen the SOLiDT System for next-generation genomic analysis to further push the boundaries of research as part of its new Genome Sequencing and Analysis Facility. Scientists at the university plan to use the SOLiD System to unravel the genetic causes of disease, develop better medical diagnostics, understand how animals adapt to climate change, and investigate how genes influence behaviors such as monogamy and aggression.
Next-generation sequencing technologies, such as the SOLiD System, provide insight into the methods of structural and functional genomics, which were previously accessible for only a short list of well-studied models such as humans or fruit flies. With the SOLiD System, researchers at UT will be able to expand their studies to rapidly catalog large genomes and perform a variety of applications that include transcriptome analysis and targeted resequencing, among others.
For example, one team of researchers plans to utilize the SOLiD System to conduct comparative genomics studies in coral reefs to identify genetic differences between various biological species. This particular team, led by Mikhail Matz, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Integrative Biology, will investigate coral populations to identify the molecular mechanisms of acclimation and adaptation to global climate change. These findings are expected to help determine coral biology and conservation practices needed to improve coral survival. “We are currently moving on to gene expression analysis and whole-genome genotyping, using novel protocols based on next- generation sequencing technologies,” said Dr. Matz.
Other university researchers will utilize the SOLiD System to characterize the genetic makeup of various species of algae that could hold promise for generating biofuels. Researchers using the SOLiD System will be able to quickly identify and study genetic variation in the algae genome such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), copy number variations (CNVs), translocations, and insertions and deletions, in order to understand mechanisms underlying normal biological processes and ultimately determine how to convert biomass into biofuels.
Another group of researchers will utilize the SOLiD System to conduct targeted resequencing studies in candidate genes in disease pathways. “High- throughput sequencing systems, such as the SOLiD System, make resequencing candidate genes from individuals suffering from disease dramatically easier,” said Edward Marcotte, Ph.D., Professor of Biochemistry, who studies protein encoding genes in functional pathways and networks. “For example, we can now sequence 100 candidate genes from 100 patients for the same price as sequencing one gene from 100 patients using the conventional technology.”
The life science industry is challenged by the vast amounts of data generated by next-generation sequencing systems. However, university researchers anticipate utilizing the large-scale computing power provided by the Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC) to manage, store and analyze data generated by the SOLiD System. The proximity of this facility will enable them to quickly analyze the enormous amounts of data generated by the SOLiD platform, which is capable of generating a minimum of 20 billion bases of mappable sequence data per mate pair sequencing run.
“As more academic and research institutes adopt next-generation sequencing, the SOLiD technology will play a greater role in basic research to collectively study a range of biological systems - from ecology and environmental biology to human health and disease,” said Shaf Yousaf, head of Applied Biosystems’ Genomic Analysis business. “The SOLiD platform continues to be differentiated from competitive technologies with respect to throughput, low sequencing cost and application flexibility, all of which will enable the team at the University of Texas to conduct a broad range of genomic studies.”
Applied Biosystems is a global leader in providing innovative instrument systems to accelerate academic and clinical research, drug discovery and development, pathogen detection and forensic DNA analysis. The technologies it markets include a robust line of DNA sequencing systems and chemistries to meet the increasing demands of the scientific community for higher- throughput, sophisticated DNA sequencing solutions. Applied Biosystems, together, with Invitrogen - a leading provider of platform independent, essential life science technologies for disease and drug research, bioproduction and diagnostics - are part of Life Technologies Corporation, which markets the life science industry’s 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 the SOLiD System The SOLiD System is the life science industry’s highest throughput genomic analysis platform. The system continues to rapidly evolve, with the latest version of the platform - SOLiDT 3 System - setting new standards with significantly higher sample throughput. The new system, which will be commercially available in early February, will yield more than 20 gigabases of mappable sequence data, or 400 million tags per run. This vast improvement in data output per run is expected to further decrease the cost of genomic sequencing for multiple applications, including DNA, RNA and epigenetic analysis. By providing the life science community with access to high quality genomic data at a lower cost per sample, researchers will be able to accelerate disease association and biomarker discovery studies to improve diagnostics and disease management.
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 has historical sales of approximately $3.5 billion, employs 9,500 people, has a presence in more than 100 countries, and possesses a rapidly growing intellectual property estate of over 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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Copyright 2009. Life Technologies Corporation. All rights reserved. Applied Biosystems and the SOLiDT System are registered trademarks of Life Technologies or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or certain other countries.
