Eight Applied Biosystems Next-Generation Sequencing Instruments to Be Deployed for a Broad Range of Studies
CARLSBAD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 16, 2008--Life Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ:LIFE), a provider of innovative
life science solutions, today announced through its Applied Biosystems
unit, that the Beijing
Institute of Genomics (BIG) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has
acquired eight additional SOLiD(TM)
Systems for a variety of genomics studies. The SOLiD System is the
company's next-generation genomic analysis platform for DNA sequencing
and RNA analysis applications.
BIG is a leading research institute, focused on meeting the increasing
demands of China's strategic scientific developments in the emerging
field of life sciences. BIG is concentrating its research activities on
genomics and bioinformatics, based on its powerful genomics technology
platforms and its long-term goal to transform original raw genomics data
to useful information and knowledge for life science research.
As part of this effort, BIG is expanding its fleet of SOLiD Systems to a
total of nine, with plans to explore mutation profiling of cancer genes,
investigations of genetic variation in model organisms, metagenomic
analysis of microbes, and discovery and characterization of novel
microRNAs. Use of high-throughput genomic analysis technologies such as
the SOLiD System, generate vast amounts of data, which scientists
analyze to gain a better understanding of how somatic mutations
contribute to disease, such as tumor proliferation.
"The Beijing Institute of Genomics plays an important role in producing
and analyzing complex genomic data. DNA resequencing is the cornerstone
of our discoveries and we invest in new technologies to develop a more
comprehensive view of biological variation," said Chung-I
Wu, Ph.D., Director of the Beijing Institute of Genomics. "By
expanding our fleet of SOLiD Systems, we will benefit from the
throughput, flexibility and sensitivity of these systems, which we
expect will contribute greatly to major genomic initiatives, such as
resequencing to identify pathogen genomics and genetics, cancer
genetics, and to conduct individual research programs within the
Institute."
The researchers at BIG will benefit from the flexibility and multiplex
capability of the SOLiD System to conduct a wide range of large-scale
resequencing and RNA analysis projects. For example, they plan to use
the SOLiD System, combined with the new SOLiD Small RNA Expression
Analysis Kit, to investigate the role of coding and non-coding
transcripts in an effort to develop RNA expression profiles in stem
cells. Comprehensive RNA expression profiles of individual stem cells
may reveal clues about molecular variation between genetically identical
cells and the underlying molecular mechanisms that trigger pluripotent
stem cells to differentiate into specific cell types, including cancer
cells.
"The diversity of applications for which BIG researchers will employ the
SOLiD System, demonstrates the tremendous flexibility of this platform,"
said Kip Miller, President of the Genetic Systems Division at Life
Technologies. "The combination of application flexibility, unrivaled
throughput, accuracy, and low sequencing cost, continue to establish the
SOLiD System as a platform of choice for life scientists around the
world looking to advance their genomics research."
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 - SOLiD 3 System - setting new
standards with significantly higher sample throughput. The new system,
which is to be launched in early 2009, 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.
The SOLiD System was selected as the Life
Science Innovation of the Year for 2008 by The Scientist, a
leading scientific publication focused on the life science industry. The
SOLiD System received the top award based upon its ability to
significantly reduce the cost of DNA sequencing, which will enable basic
and clinical researchers who may not have previously considered genomic
approaches to re-evaluate their experimental workflow.
Life Technologies Corporation markets the life science industry's most
comprehensive portfolio of solutions for genomic analysis through its
Applied Biosystems and Invitrogen units. For more information, 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 is expected to have sales
of more than $3.5 billion in 2008, 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.
Safe Harbor Statement
Certain statements contained in this press release are considered
"forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and it is Life Technologies
intent that such statements be protected by the safe harbor created
thereby. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited
to: potential difficulties that may be encountered in integrating the
merged businesses; potential uncertainties regarding market acceptance
of Life Technologies; Life Technologies' ability to protect its
intellectual property rights; competitive responses to the merger; an
economic downturn, including the deterioration in economic and market
conditions currently being experienced; risks that revenues may be lower
than expected; Life Technologies' ability to make accurate estimates and
control costs; Life Technologies' and its partners' ability to bid on,
win, perform and renew contracts and projects; the need to develop new
products and adapt to significant technological change; exposure to
environmental liabilities and litigation; liabilities for pending and
future litigation; the impact of changes in laws and regulations;
industry competition; Life Technologies' ability to attract and retain
key employees; employee, agent or partner misconduct; risks associated
with changes in equity-based compensation requirements; Life
Technologies' leveraged position and ability to service debt; risks
associated with international operations; third-party software risks;
terrorist and natural disaster risks; anti-takeover risks and other
factors; as well as other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to
time in Life Technologies' Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.
Copyright 2008. Life Technologies Corporation. All rights reserved.
Applied Biosystems and the SOLiD(TM) System are registered trademarks of
Life Technologies or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or
certain other countries.
CONTACT: for Life Technologies
Media:
Lauren Lum, 650-638-6916
Technology Public Relations
lauren.lum@appliedbiosystems.com
or
Investors:
Amanda Clardy, 760-476-7075
Corporate and Financial Communications
amanda.clardy@lifetech.com
Source: Life Technologies Corporation
