Agilent Technologies and TGen Collaborate on Breakthrough Microarray Application for Cancer Research.Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers PALO ALTO Palo Alto, city, California Palo Alto (păl`ō ăl`tō), city (1990 pop. 55,900), Santa Clara co., W Calif.; inc. 1894. Although primarily residential, Palo Alto has aerospace, electronics, and advanced research industries. , Calif. & PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 8, 2004 More Comprehensive Analysis of Chromosomal 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. Could Speed Study, Diagnosis and Treatment of Cancer Agilent Technologies This article needs sources or references that appear in reliable, third-party publications. Alone, primary sources and sources affiliated with the subject of this article are not sufficient for an accurate encyclopedia article. Inc. (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange :A) today announced a collaboration with the Translational Genomics Research Institute The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen (TGen) on a breakthrough application of oligonucleotide microarray technology called comparative genomic hybridization hybridization /hy·brid·iza·tion/ (hi?brid-i-za´shun) 1. crossbreeding; the act or process of producing hybrids. 2. molecular hybridization 3. (CGH CGH Comparative Genomic Hybridization CGH Changi General Hospital (Singapore) CGH Computer-Generated Hologram CGH Community General Hospital (Syracuse, NY) ) that could greatly enhance researchers' ability to identify and precisely locate genetic alterations that contribute to cancer. CGH is a technique used to identify regions of chromosomes that have been lost or multiplied in cancer cells cells once believed to be peculiar to cancers, but now know to be epithelial cells differing in no respect from those found elsewhere in the body, and distinguished only by peculiarity of location and grouping. See also: Cancer , allowing the tumors to escape normal growth controls. Array-based CGH methods that pinpoint the precise boundaries of genetic changes are not widely available today. Agilent Laboratories, the central research facility of Agilent Technologies, is collaborating with TGen to validate and further develop commercial microarray-based CGH solutions based on Agilent's custom in situ In place. When something is "in situ," it is in its original location. manufacturing process, in which DNA oligonucleotides are synthesized base by base directly on a glass slide. The speed, simplicity, sensitivity and widespread availability of CGH assays employing these oligonucleotide microarrays could significantly accelerate the pace of genomic disease research. "The ability to closely analyze and view gene expression and high-resolution CGH data side by side could yield unprecedented insights into the nature of various cancers," said Dr. Jeffrey Trent, president and scientific director of TGen. "In addition to shedding light on how tumors arise, these data could provide the foundation for diagnostic and prognostic tools, and help identify the most promising targets for drug development." In collaborating with Agilent, TGen has gained early access to Agilent Labs' CGH microarrays and cutting-edge computational tools for analyzing and visualizing CGH data and combined CGH and gene expression profile data. While furthering their own groundbreaking research into diseases such as melanoma and breast cancer, Trent and his colleagues at TGen are also helping Agilent to benchmark and optimize these arrays and computational tools for advanced genomic research. The joint effort announced today builds on a six-year, ongoing collaboration on gene-expression profiling between Trent and the scientists at Agilent. Trent was formerly the scientific director of the National 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. Research Institute and served as chief of its Cancer Genetics Branch before leading the establishment of TGen in 2002. "Partnering with TGen provides Agilent Labs with an in-depth understanding of the genomic researcher's screening and computational needs, and allows us to explore future uses of microarrays for the study of cancer pathogenesis, diagnostics and the development of new therapeutics," said Darlene Solomon, vice president and director of Agilent Labs. "By working together to perfect these tools, we can enable rapid new discoveries that could, ultimately, improve the standard of patient care." About TGen The mission of the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is to make and translate genomic discoveries into advances in human health. "Translational genomics research" is a relatively new field employing innovative advances arising from the Human Genome Project to apply to the development of diagnostics, prognostics and therapies for cancer, neurological disorders, diabetes and other complex diseases. More information is available at www.tgen.org. About Agilent Laboratories Based in Palo Alto, Calif., Agilent Laboratories draws on the talents of more than 300 researchers and support staff. It conducts applied research in communications, electronics, the life sciences and measurement; fundamental research in bioscience, fiber optics fiber optics, transmission of digitized messages or information by light pulses along hair-thin glass fibers. Each fiber is surrounded by a cladding having a high index of refractance so that the light is internally reflected and travels the length of the fiber , materials, microelectronics, micromechanical systems and optoelectronics; and basic research. Agilent Labs is focused on driving growth and profit for the company's businesses through technology innovation. Information about Agilent Laboratories is available at www.labs.agilent.com. About Agilent Technologies Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE:A) is a global technology leader in communications, electronics, life sciences and chemical analysis. The company's 28,000 employees serve customers in more than 110 countries. Agilent had net revenue of $6.1 billion in fiscal year 2003. Information about Agilent is available on the Web at www.agilent.com. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements (including, without limitation, statements relating to TGen's and Agilent Laboratories' ability to apply Agilent's CGH technologies to cancer research) that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause results of Agilent Technologies to differ materially from management's current expectations. These and other risks are detailed in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q Form 10-Q See 10-Q. for the quarter ended April 30, 2004. The company assumes no obligation to update the information in this press release. NOTE TO EDITORS: Further technology, corporate citizenship Corporate Citizenship The extent to which businesses are socially responsible in meeting legal, ethical and economic responsibilities placed on them by shareholders. The aim it to create higher standards of living and quality of life in the community in which it operates, while and executive news is available on the Agilent news site at www.agilent.com/go/news. |
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