BioServe Partners with Harvard and University of Michigan on Landmark Public Health Study.Genetic Study to Understand Linkage Between Lead Exposure and Children's Intellectual Development in India; Possible Model for Broader Gene/Environment/Health Research LAUREL, Md. -- BioServe, a leading provider of rapid, economical processing and analyses of genomic content from biological samples, has been selected to work with scientists from the Harvard and University of Michigan (body, education) University of Michigan - A large cosmopolitan university in the Midwest USA. Over 50000 students are enrolled at the University of Michigan's three campuses. The students come from 50 states and over 100 foreign countries. Schools of Public Health on a landmark study aimed at understanding how genetics and environmental lead pollution interact to affect children's intellectual and behavioral functioning. Under terms of the agreement, BioServe will perform 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. purification and genotyping on tissue samples collected from 750 school children in Chennai (formerly Madras), India who have been exposed to lead pollutants. The goal is to help the investigators determine whether genetic factors predispose pre·dis·pose v. To make susceptible, as to a disease. children to--or protect them from--certain toxic effects. Although it is well-known that high lead levels in the body can negatively affect intelligence, this is the first study in India to measure that effect. The study is unusual in that (1) it will also measure how lead exposure affects both visual-spatial-motor skills and aggressive behavior and (2) it is one of the first studies to research how individual genetic makeup may modify the neurobehavioral impact of lead exposure. BioServe was chosen to perform the genetic work because of the company's reputation for highly advanced genomic analysis, industry experience, and its state-of-the-art facilities in India. "This study represents a cutting edge research collaboration that will gain insights into a global environmental health problem," said Howard Hu M.D., M.P.H., Sc.D, the principle investigator. Hu is Chair and Professor in the Department of Environmental Health Sciences at the University of Michigan School of Public Health and Adjunct Professor of Occupational and Environmental Medicine at the Harvard School of Public Health The Harvard School of Public Health is (colloquially, HSPH) is one of the professional graduate schools of Harvard University. Located in Longwood Area of the Boston, Massachusetts neighborhood of Mission Hill, next to Harvard Medical School and Cambridge, Massachusetts, . "India and other countries are undergoing rapid urbanization, population shifts to cities, industrialization industrialization Process of converting to a socioeconomic order in which industry is dominant. The changes that took place in Britain during the Industrial Revolution of the late 18th and 19th century led the way for the early industrializing nations of western Europe and and a steep increase in the use of fossil fuels for energy and transportation --but population exposures to newer pollution hazards remain understudied," Hu explained. "Understanding the interrelationship in·ter·re·late tr. & intr.v. in·ter·re·lat·ed, in·ter·re·lat·ing, in·ter·re·lates To place in or come into mutual relationship. in of environmental hazards, genetics, and health will provide the information that is needed to formulate regulatory policies, prioritize public health controls, and educate the medical community and the public on how best to mitigate particular environmental exposures. Progress on these fronts would be slow or impossible without public/private partnerships like the one involving Harvard, the University of Michigan, and Bioserve." The current study could serve as a model for future investigation into the relationship of genetics to other environmental hazards and diseases. Dr. Hu's lab is also studying the relationship of lead exposure to such diseases as Alzheimers and diabetes, and the health impacts of other metallic pollutants. According to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. Rama Modali, Chief Executive Officer of BioServe, "We are excited to play an important role in this landmark health study. Our genotyping studies will contribute to the Indian and international biomedical bi·o·med·i·cal adj. 1. Of or relating to biomedicine. 2. Of, relating to, or involving biological, medical, and physical sciences. communities' further understanding of the dynamics between lead exposure and chronic diseases, as well as genetic polymorphisms that increase the risk of environmentally induced disease." The overall study, now in the third of three years, is funded with a grant from The John E. Fogarty John Edward Fogarty (March 23 1913 - January 10 1967) was a Congressman from Rhode Island for 26 years. He was born in Providence, Rhode Island. His brother, Charles Fogarty, Sr., was a State Senator and Director of the Rhode Island Small Business Administration. International Center-- the international component of the National Institutes of Health-- which addresses global health challenges through innovative and collaborative research and training programs. Results are expected in about a year. About BioServe BioServe delivers a complete 'biomaterial to validated data' genomics solution. BioServe's rapid, economical processing and analyses of genomic content from biological samples helps researchers worldwide to gain the pre-clinical genomic results required to achieve breakthroughs in research, drug discovery and molecular diagnostics. BioServe's technology, products and services form the foundation for optimal pre-clinical workflows spanning innovative methodologies for processing 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 synthesis DNA synthesis commonly refers to:
The following is a list of the top 100 biotechnology companies ranked by revenue. The first nine companies qualify for the list of the top 50 pharmaceutical companies. , and government and academic research institutions. BioServe has headquarters in Laurel, MD and Hyderabad, India. For more information please visit www.bioserve.com or call 301-470-3362. |
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