FREMONT, Calif., Nov. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- WaferGen Biosystems, Inc. , a leading developer of state-of-the-art genetic analysis systems, today announced that the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center demonstrated the utility of WaferGen’s new proprietary SmartChip(TM) Nano-dispenser. The Nano-dispenser is used for loading samples and enzymes onto content-ready SmartChips for use with WaferGen’s SmartChip(TM) Real-Time PCR System. The SmartChip Real-Time PCR System is designed to boost pathway-based gene discovery and exploration enabling researchers to discover new gene markers that could be missed using current microarray methods of discovery.
“By demonstrating the utility of the SmartChip Nano-dispenser, UT Southwestern has provided additional verification of the role that the SmartChip system can play in decreasing research time and increasing the cost-efficiency of validating relevant gene expression biomarkers, and eventually assessing their impact on patient response to treatment,” said Alnoor Shivji, Chairman and CEO, WaferGen. “This decrease in research time has broad economic implications for researchers discovering biomarkers and across the drug development industry, particularly for companies seeking ways to reduce time to market for their therapeutics or diagnostic products.”
About the SmartChip Real-Time PCR System
The SmartChip Real-Time PCR System is designed as the first whole genome, high-throughput gene expression real-time PCR platform. This innovative system, combined with next-generation chemistry and optimized assays being developed by WaferGen under the guidance of David Gelfand, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer and one of the pioneers of PCR, promises to deliver significant speed and cost advantages to researchers in the gene expression and genotyping markets. Based on collaborations established with leading research institutions, WaferGen believes that the SmartChip Real-Time PCR System is positioned as the platform of choice for biomarker discovery and validation. The system will provide a number of key ease-of-use features including content-ready chips with gene panels optimized for micro RNA, cancer, and whole genome. WaferGen believes the SmartChip Real-Time PCR System will be the first platform to combine the high-throughput capability and cost efficiencies of existing microarrays, with the sensitivity and accuracy of real-time PCR.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain “forward-looking statements”. Such statements include statements relating to the expected benefits and advantages of the SmartChip Nano-dispenser, the expected benefits and advantages of the SmartChip technology to other applications, and other statements relating to future events or to the company’s future financial performance and are not historical facts, including statements which may be preceded by the words “intends,” “may,” “will,” “plans,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “predicts,” “estimates,” “aims,” “believes,” “hopes,” “potential” or similar words.
CONTACT: Mona Chadha of WaferGen, +1-510-651-4450,
Mona.chadha@wafergen.com
Web site: http://www.wafergen.com/
