Baylor College of Medicine Expands Fleet of SOLiD(TM) Systems

Hits:1453 Date: 10/9/2009

Baylor College of Medicine Expands Fleet of SOLiD(TM) Systems to Expand Cancer Studies and Other Complex Human Diseases

Scientists from the Baylor College of Medicine Human Genome Sequencing Center (HGSC) are expanding their fleet of advanced genomic next-generation sequencing technology from Applied Biosystems, part of Life Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ:LIFE) to accelerate their studies of the genetic underpinnings of cancer and other complex human diseases. Additional SOLiD™ Systems will be integrated into the HGSC’s existing base of genomics analysis technologies. With a total of 20 systems, HGSC scientists will use these sequencing platforms to further conduct comprehensive analyses of the genetic changes that characterize cancer, autism and cardiovascular disease in humans.

The HGSC research developments coincide with the National Institutes of Health Gene Sequencing Programs, including increased support for determination of genetic changes in each of the three disease areas. With the additional genomic analysis platforms and the increased throughput available from each system, the HGSC expects to at least triple its current sequence production.

The development of sophisticated genomic analysis sequencing technologies has opened the door to a new era of life-science research, enabling scientists to completely survey entire cancer genomes within individuals. By creating a catalog of both single base changes, or SNPs, and large segments of DNA rearrangements in genomes known as structural variants, researchers hope to one day identify all sources of genetic variation that contribute to cancer. This kind of portrait of the genetic underpinnings of disease will help scientists to lay the groundwork for the molecular events that occur in the generation of individual cancers.

Richard Gibbs, Ph.D., Director of Human Genome Sequencing Center at Baylor College of Medicine

"In order to unravel the complexities of genomic disease, we need highly accurate, cost-effective and ultra-high throughput sequencing technology. Our experience with SOLiD demonstrates that the industry-leading accuracy and throughput is ideal for the in-depth analysis of complex genomes.”

Shaf Yousaf, President, Genomic Analysis at Life Technologies

“Baylor’s commitment to the SOLiD platform demonstrates that advanced genomic analysis technology is an effective discovery and clinical research tool that will ultimately advance personalized medicine.”

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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. Follow Life Technologies on Twitter@LIFECorporation

SOURCE FROM Life Technologies