Applied Biosystems Announces New Tools for Studying MicroRNAs.TaqMan([R]) Arrays Enable Large-Scale Expression Profiling Microarray technology is often used for gene expression profiling. It makes use of the sequence resources created by the genome sequencing projects and other sequencing efforts to answer the question, of Small RNAs FOSTER CITY, Calif. -- Applied Biosystems Applied Biosystems, Inc. (formerly NASDAQ: ABIO) is the original name of a pioneer biotechnology company founded in 1981 in Foster City, California, among the Silicon Valley cities of the southern San Francisco Bay Area. (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange :ABI Abi (ā`bī) [short for Abijah], in the Bible, King Hezekiah's mother. (Application Binary Interface) A specification for a specific hardware platform combined with the operating system. ), an Applera Corporation business, today announced the release of the first TaqMan([R]) assays for microRNA (miRNA) analysis that are configured in an array format. The TaqMan([R]) Array Human MicroRNA Panel is a molecular tool that can help researchers in pharmaceutical companies and academic institutions more rapidly and efficiently search for miRNA biomarkers associated with disease and accelerate research related to how microRNAs impact biological processes. Using gold-standard TaqMan([R]) assay chemistry for quantitative gene expression, the miRNA TaqMan arrays offer researchers the accuracy, sensitivity, and reproducibility of real-time PCR PCR polymerase chain reaction. PCR abbr. polymerase chain reaction Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using TaqMan assays. MicroRNAs are non-coding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression. They play a role in developmental and cell biology, including stem cell stem cell In living organisms, an undifferentiated cell that can produce other cells that eventually make up specialized tissues and organs. There are two major types of stem cells, embryonic and adult. differentiation and development, and have been implicated im·pli·cate tr.v. im·pli·cat·ed, im·pli·cat·ing, im·pli·cates 1. To involve or connect intimately or incriminatingly: evidence that implicates others in the plot. 2. in a number of different diseases, including cancer and neurological disorders. Research related to microRNAs is one of the fastest growing areas in biology. Previous research has shown that by profiling expression patterns of miRNA genes, scientists can identify potential miRNA biomarkers that classify different disease types and identify disease susceptibility. Applied Biosystems designed the new miRNA TaqMan arrays to help researchers perform large-scale gene expression profiling of miRNAs, and simultaneously detect and determine the amounts of up to 365 different miRNA genes that may be present in biological samples. The miRNA TaqMan arrays require lower amounts of starting 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 sample than other analysis methods, providing a more efficient solution for researchers with limited quantities of tissue sample available. The arrays also enable researchers to conduct experiments to evaluate expression changes in miRNA genes normally expressed at levels too low to detect using other methods such as hybridization hybridization /hy·brid·iza·tion/ (hi?brid-i-za´shun) 1. crossbreeding; the act or process of producing hybrids. 2. molecular hybridization 3. microarray techniques. These experiments can be performed with low amounts of initial sample because hundreds of highly-sensitive TaqMan([R]) MicroRNA Assays have been plated on a microfluidic card. The specificity of the TaqMan miRNA arrays enables researchers to specifically detect the biologically active mature forms of miRNA molecules and to discriminate between closely related miRNAs, which can help researchers better understand the role specific miRNAs play in a cell. Dr. Peng Jin, assistant professor at the Department 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 at Emory University School of Medicine, is using the TaqMan Array Human MicroRNA Panel to increase sample throughput for large-scale gene expression profiling applications and to better understand how changes in miRNA levels contribute to the disease pathology of the neurological disorders Rett syndrome and Fragile X syndrome Fragile X Syndrome Definition Fragile X syndrome is the most common form of inherited mental retardation. Individuals with this condition have developmental delay, variable levels of mental retardation, and behavioral and emotional difficulties. . By investigating how miRNAs regulate neural stem cell proliferation and differentiation in mouse models of both disorders, Dr. Jin hopes to learn about the role of miRNAs in human disease pathology. He noted that he used the TaqMan Array Human MicroRNA Panel to detect miRNAs in mice, because a significant number of human and mouse miRNAs are the same. "Our sample throughput has increased dramatically," said Dr. Jin. "Before we had access to the TaqMan arrays, we could only analyze about two samples a day. We can now analyze these same samples in about two hours. The use of this technology has greatly increased the number of miRNAs we can screen per sample and the number of samples we can screen in a day." The TaqMan Array Human MicroRNA Panels are part of a complete system that enables researchers to perform 384 simultaneous real-time PCR reactions without requiring liquid-handling robots or multi-channel pipettes. To perform miRNA gene expression analysis, researchers add 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. obtained from performing separate reactions that involve use of the Applied Biosystems Multiplex RT (reverse transcriptase Reverse transcriptase Any of the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) polymerases present in particles of retroviruses which are able to carry out DNA synthesis using an RNA template. ) pool reagents to the miRNA TaqMan arrays. The arrays are then analyzed by Applied Biosystems' 7900HT Fast Real-Time PCR System. "Although the discovery of microRNAs is a relatively recent event, and there is still much to learn about their mechanism of action, research continues to reveal the significant role they play in a variety of fundamental cellular processes," said Peter Dansky, vice president and general manager for Applied Biosystems' molecular and cell biology consumables business. "With these new miRNA TaqMan arrays, researchers have fast, highly-sensitive tools with which to perform large-scale profiling of these important molecules and learn more about their biological role." Applied Biosystems is a global leader in the development and commercialization of instrument-based systems, consumables, software, and services for the life-science market. Combined with miRNA isolation kits and analysis products from Ambion, Inc., an Applied Biosystems business, the company offers one of the life-science industry's most comprehensive lines of microRNA analysis tools. The miRNA TaqMan arrays, along with a complete line of TaqMan([R]) array gene signature panels and more than 700,000 individual TaqMan([R]) Gene Expression Assays are available on the Applied Biosystems website. More information about Applied Biosystems' complete line of miRNA analysis solutions is available at: http://info.appliedbiosystems.com/microRNA About Applera Corporation and Applied Biosystems Applera Corporation consists of two operating groups. The Applied Biosystems Group serves the life science industry and research community by developing and marketing instrument-based systems, consumables, software, and services. Customers use these tools to analyze nucleic acids Nucleic acids The cellular molecules DNA and RNA that act as coded instructions for the production of proteins and are copied for transmission of inherited traits. (DNA and RNA), small molecules, and proteins to make scientific discoveries and develop new pharmaceuticals. Applied Biosystems' products also serve the needs of some markets outside of life science research, which we refer to as "applied markets," such as the fields of: human identity testing (forensic and paternity testing paternity testing see parentage testing. ); biosecurity, which refers to products needed in response to the threat of biological terrorism and other malicious, accidental, and natural biological dangers; and quality and safety testing, for example in food and the environment. Applied Biosystems is headquartered in Foster City, CA, and reported sales of over $1.9 billion during fiscal 2006. The Celera Group is primarily a molecular diagnostics business that is using proprietary genomics and proteomics discovery platforms to identify and validate novel diagnostic markers, and is developing diagnostic products based on these markers. Celera maintains a strategic alliance with Abbott Laboratories for the development and commercialization of molecular, or nucleic acid-based, diagnostic products, and it is also developing new diagnostic products outside of this alliance. Through its genomics and proteomics research efforts, Celera is also discovering and validating therapeutic targets, and it is seeking to develop therapeutic products based on these discovered targets through strategic partnerships. Information about Applera Corporation, including reports and other information filed by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, is available at http://www.applera.com, or by telephoning 800.762.6923. Information about Applied Biosystems is available at http://www.appliedbiosystems.com/. Applied Biosystems Forward Looking Statements Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking. These may be identified by the use of forward-looking words or phrases such as "should," "planned," and "expect," among others. These forward-looking statements are based on Applera Corporation's current expectations. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (PSLRA) implemented several significant substantive changes affecting certain cases brought under the federal securities laws, including changes related to pleading, discovery, liability, class representation and awards fees and of 1995 provides a "safe harbor Safe Harbor 1. A legal provision to reduce or eliminate liability as long as good faith is demonstrated. 2. A form of shark repellent implemented by a target company acquiring a business that is so poorly regulated that the target itself is less attractive. " for such forward-looking statements. In order to comply with the terms of the safe harbor, Applera Corporation notes that a variety of factors could cause actual results and experience to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements. These factors include but are not limited to: (1) rapidly changing technology and dependence on the development and customer acceptance of new products; (2) sales dependent on customers' capital spending capital spending Spending for long-term assets such as factories, equipment, machinery, and buildings that permits the production of more goods and services in future years. policies and government-sponsored research; and (3) other factors that might be described from time to time in Applera Corporation's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All information in this press release is as of the date of the release, and Applera does not undertake any duty to update this information, including any forward-looking statements, unless required by law. For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures. Practice of the patented 5' Nuclease nuclease /nu·cle·ase/ (noo´kle-as) any of a group of enzymes that split nucleic acids into nucleotides and other products. nu·cle·ase n. Process requires a license from Applied Biosystems. The purchase of the TaqMan Array Human MicroArray Panel includes an immunity from suit under patents specified in the product insert to use only the amount purchased for the purchaser's own internal research when used with the separate purchase of an Authorized 5' Nuclease Core Kit. No other patent rights are conveyed expressly, by implication, or by estoppel A legal principle that bars a party from denying or alleging a certain fact owing to that party's previous conduct, allegation, or denial. The rationale behind estoppel is to prevent injustice owing to inconsistency or Fraud. . For further information on purchasing licenses contact the Director of Licensing, Applied Biosystems, 850 Lincoln Centre Drive, Foster City, California
The TaqMan[R] Low Density Array is covered by U.S. Patents Nos. 6,514,750 and 6,942,837. Micro Fluidic flu·id·ic adj. 1. Of, relating to, or characteristic of a fluid. 2. Relating to or controlled by fluidics. Card developed in collaboration with 3M Company. Applera, Applied Biosystems, and AB (Design) are registered trademarks of Applera Corporation or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and/or certain other countries. Ambion is a registered trademark of Ambion, Inc., in the U.S. and/or certain other countries. Ambion, Inc., is a wholly owned subsidiary Wholly Owned Subsidiary A subsidiary whose parent company owns 100% of its common stock. Notes: In other words, the parent company owns the company outright and there are no minority owners. of Applera Corporation. TaqMan is a registered trademark of Roche Molecular Systems, Inc. Copyright (c) 2007. Applera Corporation. All rights reserved. |
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