Affymetrix Scientists Awarded $10.2 Million Grant from NHGRI for Four-year Follow-up ENCODE Study.Research team led by Thomas Gingeras looks to provide new insights into the organization and function 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. SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Affymetrix Inc. (Nasdaq: AFFX) today announced that a team from Affymetrix Laboratories has been awarded a $10.2 million scale-up grant over the next four years from the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI NHGRI National Human Genome Research Institute ), as part of the expanded ENCyclopedia Of 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. Elements (ENCODE) project. The grant is part of a project involving 16 multinational research centers that totals more than $80 million. The goals of the ENCODE project are to identify the various functional regions found across the human genome and to develop new high-throughput technologies associated with this task. The project at Affymetrix will be led by Thomas Gingeras, Ph.D., vice president for biological science, and will focus on mapping and characterizing all of the human genome regions that are transcribed into RNA RNA: see nucleic acid. RNA in full ribonucleic acid One of the two main types of nucleic acid (the other being DNA), which functions in cellular protein synthesis in all living cells and replaces DNA as the carrier of genetic , an information molecule vital to a number of biological functions, including protein production (project title: "Comprehensive Characterization and Classification of the Human Transcriptome The transcriptome is the set of all messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules, or "transcripts", produced in one or a population of cells. The term can be applied to the total set of transcripts in a given organism, or to the specific subset of transcripts present in a particular cell type. "). This collaborative effort brings together six other international laboratories, including: University of Geneva The University of Geneva (Université de Genève) is a university in Geneva, Switzerland. It was founded by John Calvin in 1559. Initially a theological seminary, it also taught law. , Switzerland (Dr. S Dr. Doctor. dr. dram. . Antonarakis), Center for Genomic Regulation in Barcelona, Spain (Dr. R. Guigo), Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory  The Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory , New York City New York City: see New York, city. New York City City (pop., 2000: 8,008,278), southeastern New York, at the mouth of the Hudson River. The largest city in the U.S. (Dr. G. Hannon), RIKEN RIKEN Rikagaku Kenkyusho (Institute of Physical and Chemical Research, Japan) Genomic Sciences Center, Yokohama, Japan (Dr. Y. Hayashizaki and Dr. P. Carninci), University of Lausanne The University of Lausanne (in French: Université de Lausanne) or UNIL in Lausanne, Switzerland was founded in 1537 as a school of theology, before being made a university in 1890. Today about 10,000 students and 2200 researchers study and work at the university. , Switzerland (Dr. A. Reymond) and the Genome Institute of Singapore (Dr. Y. Ruan and Dr. C-L Wei). The group will identify protein-coding and non-protein-coding ribonucleic acid Ribonucleic acid (RNA) One of the two major classes of nucleic acid, mainly involved in translating into proteins the genetic information that is carried in deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). (RNA) transcripts using microarrays, high-throughput sequencing, sequenced paired-end ditags and sequenced cap analysis of gene expression tags. "A comprehensive map and characterization of both protein-coding and non-coding transcripts for the human genome will be an important and valuable resource for both basic and applied research for the scientific community," said Dr. Gingeras. "The data from these studies will provide the skeletal framework upon which many other functional elements will be mapped in the overall ENCODE project. The results should provide novel insights into the organization and regulation of the human genome." In June, the ENCODE research consortium published a set of landmark papers that found the organization, function and evolution of the genome to be far more elegant and complicated than most had suspected. During the pilot phase of the project, Dr. Gingeras and team used a collection of the company's high-density tiling arrays to yield several striking observations of the structure and organization of the human genome that will have important implications for both basic research and medical studies. The results of the pilot phase of the project were published in a set of papers in the June 14th issue of Nature and the June issue of Genome Research. Dr. Gingeras and his laboratory have been pioneering GeneChip([R]) tiling technology since 2000. These arrays look far beyond the known protein-coding genes to deliver the industry's most detailed and unbiased view of the entire human and mouse genomes, enabling researchers to map transcription factors, as well as sites of DNA and histone histone (hĭs`tōn), any of a class of protein molecules found in the chromosomes of eukaryotic cells. They complex with the DNA (see nucleic acid) and pack the DNA into tight masses of chromatin, which have the structure of coiled coils, much modification. During the pilot phase of the ENCODE project, the team of Affymetrix researchers used the tiling arrays to challenge the protein-coding, gene-centric view of the human genome. The team of Affymetrix researchers determined that approximately 93 percent of the ENCODE regions were transcribed as nuclear primary transcripts. Additionally, 65 percent of the previously unannotated protein-coding genes found within the ENCODE regions were observed to have alternative tissue-specific promoter regions and transcription start sites. These newly discovered promoters and transcription start sites can be located far away from the commonly annotated start sites of these protein-coding genes, causing the cell to skip over other intervening gene sequences between the novel promoter sequence and the gene of interest. To learn more about how Affymetrix tools are supporting ENCODE-related research and to gain access to interviews and webinars, please visit: www.affymetrix.com/encode.affx. About Affymetrix Affymetrix GeneChip([R]) microarray technology is the industry-standard tool for analyzing complex genetic information. After inventing microarray technology in the late 1980s, Affymetrix scientists have been dedicated to developing innovative products that provide researchers with a more complete view of the genome. These products continue to accelerate genetic research and enable scientists to develop diagnostics and tailor treatments for individual patients by identifying and measuring the genetic information associated with complex diseases. Today, Affymetrix technology is used by the world's top pharmaceutical, diagnostic and biotechnology companies, as well as leading academic, government and not-for-profit research institutes. More than 1,600 systems have been shipped around the world and more than 9,500 peer-reviewed papers have been published using the technology. Affymetrix is headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif., and has manufacturing facilities in Sacramento, Calif., and Singapore. The company has about 1,100 employees worldwide and maintains sales and distribution operations across Europe and Asia. For more information about Affymetrix, please visit the company's website at www.affymetrix.com. Forward-looking Statements All statements in this press release that are not historical are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act as amended, including statements regarding Affymetrix' "expectations," "beliefs," "hopes," "intentions," "strategies" or the like. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially for Affymetrix from those projected, including, but not limited to: risks and uncertainties associated with the use of the Affymetrix technology and uncertainties related to the implications of the findings of the study discussed in this press release; risks of the company's ability to achieve and sustain higher levels of revenue, higher gross margins and reduced operating expenses Operating expenses The amount paid for asset maintenance or the cost of doing business, excluding depreciation. Earnings are distributed after operating expenses are deducted. ; uncertainties relating to technological approaches, manufacturing and product development; personnel retention; uncertainties related to cost and pricing of Affymetrix products; dependence on collaborative partners; uncertainties relating to sole-source suppliers; uncertainties relating to FDA FDA abbr. Food and Drug Administration FDA, n.pr See Food and Drug Administration. FDA, n.pr the abbreviation for the Food and Drug Administration. and other regulatory approvals; competition; risks relating to intellectual property of others and the uncertainties of patent protection and litigation An action brought in court to enforce a particular right. The act or process of bringing a lawsuit in and of itself; a judicial contest; any dispute. When a person begins a civil lawsuit, the person enters into a process called litigation. . These and other risk factors are discussed in Affymetrix' Form 10-K Form 10-K A report required by the SEC from exchange-listed companies that provides for annual disclosure of certain financial information. Form 10-K See 10-K. for the year ended December 31, 2006, and other SEC reports, including its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q Form 10-Q See 10-Q. for subsequent quarterly periods. Affymetrix expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in Affymetrix' expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statements are based. NOTE: Affymetrix, the Affymetrix logo and GeneChip([R]) are registered trademarks owned or used by Affymetrix Inc. |
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