23andMe(TM) Launches Web-Based Personal Genome Service(TM) Outside U.S., Empowering Individuals to Access and Understand Their Own Genetic Information.23andMe Expands Reach Globally into Europe and Canada Following its Successful U.S. Launch MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. -- 23andMe, Inc., a privately-held personal genetics company, announced today that it has begun making its services available to consumers in Canada and 49 European countries. The company, which officially launched in the U.S. on November 16, 2007, helps individuals understand their own genetic information through the latest advances in DNA analysis DNA analysis Any technique used to analyze genes and DNA. See Chromosome walking, DNA fingerprinting, Footprinting, In situ hybridization, Jeffries' probe, Jumping libraries, PCR, RFLP analysis, Southern blot hybridization. technologies and web-based interactive tools. 23andMe was recently selected as a 2008 Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum and will be participating in the 2008 World Economic Forum Annual Meeting from January 23-28, 2008 in Davos, Switzerland. Representatives from the company will be available to press and forum attendees at the 23andMe Booth on Wednesday, January 23rd to Saturday, January 26th 2008 from 10.00am - 2.00pm and 5.00pm - 11.00pm CET CET abbr. Central European Time CET Central European Time CET n abbr (= Central European Time) → hora de Europa central CET abbr daily. The 23andMe Booth will be located on the first floor of the Belvedere Belvedere (bĕl`vədēr, Ital. bālvādĕ`rā), court of the Vatican named after a villa built (1485–87) for Innocent VIII. Hotel (Promenade 89/7270 Davos-Platz) in Davos. The 23andMe(TM) service enables its customers to: * Search and explore genes contributing to their personal characteristics, such as lactose intolerance Lactose Intolerance Definition Lactose intolerance refers to the inability of the body to digest lactose. Description Lactose is the form of sugar present in milk. , athletic ability, and food preferences; * Learn how the latest research studies relate to their genomes; * Compare their profiles to family and friends who are also 23andMe participants and trace the inheritance of genes associated with specific traits; * Discover genetic roots and find out where and how their ancestors lived and learn about the prehistoric events they experienced, and; * Actively participate in a new research approach and contribute to the advancement of the field of genetics. Linda Avey, co-founder of 23andMe, said, "We are receiving overwhelming interest in our services outside the U.S. and are pleased to now offer them in Canada and Europe. Our web-based service model has made the European and Canadian offering possible, and we hope to continue to expand our global footprint to additional locations in the future. Ms. Avey continued, "We believe 2008 will be a year in which our understanding of the human genome The human genome is the genome of Homo sapiens, which is composed of 24 distinct pairs of chromosomes (22 autosomal + X + Y) with a total of approximately 3 billion DNA base pairs containing an estimated 20,000–25,000 genes. will increase significantly through international research efforts, and we are eager to continue connecting individuals to this growing knowledge base of genetic information." "23andMe came together because we believe in empowering individuals by helping them understand their genetic make-up and actively engaging them in the development of new ways to accelerate research," said Anne Wojcicki, co-founder of 23andMe. "We enter the European and Canadian markets with great momentum and are excited to continue toward our goal of offering our services to the global community." How 23andMe's services work: * 23andMe sends individuals a saliva kit containing a bar-coded tube for saliva collection. Customers then use the enclosed mailing materials to send their samples to 23andMe's contracted laboratory. The DNA DNA: see nucleic acid. DNA or deoxyribonucleic acid One of two types of nucleic acid (the other is RNA); a complex organic compound found in all living cells and many viruses. It is the chemical substance of genes. is then extracted and exposed to a microchip-like device made by Illumina, Inc., a leading developer of genetic analysis tools (Nasdaq: ILMN), that reads more than half a million points in the individual's genome, including a proprietary set of over 30,000 information-rich markers, chosen by 23andMe scientists, to produce a detailed genetic profile. * Once the analysis has been completed, individuals are able to use their own private login Signing in and gaining access to a network server, Web server or other computer system. The process (the noun) is a "login" or "logon," while the act of doing it (the verb) is to "log in" or to "log on. to access their data via 23andMe's secure website. Using 23andMe's web-based tools, individuals can explore their ancestry, see what genetic research means for them and compare themselves to friends and family members. * Participants become part of a community that works together to advance the overall understanding of the human genome. Joining the 23andMe Community To learn more and embark on your own personal genetic journey, please visit: www.23andMe.com. 23andMe is now available to consumers in the following locations: Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina Bosnia and Herzegovina (bŏz`nēə, hĕrtsəgōvē`nə), Serbo-Croatian Bosna i Hercegovina, country (2005 est. pop. 4,025,000), 19,741 sq mi (51,129 sq km), on the Balkan peninsula, S Europe. , Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic Czech Republic, Czech Česká Republika (2005 est. pop. 10,241,000), republic, 29,677 sq mi (78,864 sq km), central Europe. It is bordered by Slovakia on the east, Austria on the south, Germany on the west, and Poland on the north. , Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino San Marino, city, United States San Marino (săn mərē`nō), residential city (1990 pop. 12,959), Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1913. Of interest is the Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens. , Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. and Vatican City Vatican City (văt`ĭkən), independent state (2005 est. pop. 900), 108.7 acres (44 hectares), within the city of Rome, Italy, and the residence of the pope, who is its absolute ruler. State. About 23andMe 23andMe, Inc. is a privately-held personal genetics company dedicated to helping individuals understand their own genetic information through DNA analysis technologies and web-based interactive tools. The company's Personal Genome Service enables individuals to gain deeper insights into their ancestry and inherited traits. 23andMe, Inc., was founded by Linda Avey and Anne Wojcicki in 2006, and the company is advised by a group of renowned experts in the fields of human genetics Human genetics A discipline concerned with genetically determined resemblances and differences among human beings. Technological advances in the visualization of human chromosomes have shown that abnormalities of chromosome number or structure are surprisingly , bioinformatics and computer science. Its Series A investors include Genentech, Inc., Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG GOOG Google, Inc. (stock symbol) ) and New Enterprise Associates. More information is available at www.23andMe.com. 23andMe and Personal Genome Service are trademarks of 23andMe, Inc. All other marks belong to their respective owners. |
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