Biolog Reports Additional Patent Granted On Phenotype Microarray Technology.Business Editors/Health & Medical Writers BIOWIRE2K HAYWARD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 10, 2003 Biolog, Inc. announced today that it has received another patent on its Phenotype MicroArray(TM) (PM) technology. The patent, number US 6,472,201, is granted for comparative phenotypic analysis of two or more microorganisms using a number of substrates within a microwell device. This patent, along with other recently announced patents, extends the number of patents granted on the PM technology. The company has over 20 patents on its cellular assay technologies. The PM technology has applications in multiple areas of research, ranging from basic research to high-throughput screening of chemical compounds against cells. Already working with a diverse list of microbial microbial pertaining to or emanating from a microbe. microbial digestion the breakdown of organic material, especially feedstuffs, by microbial organisms. species including microbes used in antibiotic drug discovery, the technology is being extended to other cell lines. This patent covers both methods and compositions for phenotypic analysis of eukaryotic eukaryotic /eu·kary·ot·ic/ (u?kar-e-ot´ik) pertaining to a eukaryon or to a eukaryote. eukaryotic pertaining to eukaryosis. eukaryotic cells see cell. as well as prokaryotic pro·kar·y·ote also pro·car·y·ote n. An organism of the kingdom Monera (or Prokaryotae), comprising the bacteria and cyanobacteria, characterized by the absence of a distinct, membrane-bound nucleus or membrane-bound organelles, and by DNA that cells. Organisms already tested in the PM technology include gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Vibrio vibrio Any of a group of aquatic, comma-shaped bacteria in the family Vibrionaceae. Some species cause serious diseases in humans and other animals. They are gram-negative (see spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Burkholderia cepacia, Ralstonia solanacearum, and Sinorhizobium meliloti. Gram-positive bacteria include Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus streptococcus (strĕp'təkŏk`əs), any of a group of gram-positive bacteria, genus Streptococcus, some of which cause disease. spp., Bacillus spp., and Listeria Listeria /Lis·te·ria/ (lis-ter´e-ah) a genus of gram-negative bacteria (family Corynebacterium); L. monocyto´genes causes listeriosis. Lis·te·ri·a n. monocytogenes. Yeast and filamentous fungi include Saccharomyces Saccharomyces: see yeast. cerevisiae, Candida albicans and fungal pathogens such as Aspergillus Aspergillus Any fungus of the genus Aspergillus of the Fungi Imperfecti (form-class Deuteromycetes). Species for which the sexual phase is known are placed in the order Eurotiales. A. niger causes black mold on some foods; A. niger, A. flavus, and A. spp. Phenotype MicroArrays are expected to become standard, essential tools for cellular analysis and genomic-based drug development. Salmonella, Vibrio, and Listeria species can act as acute, invasive pathogens to humans. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Burkholderia cepacia are common environmental bacteria that can cause persistent infections in humans, for example lung infections in cystic fibrosis patients, eye infections, bone infections, septicemias, as well as a leading cause of nosocomial infections. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is particularly problematic because it is highly resistant to antibiotic therapy. Ralstonia solanacearum and other Pseudomonas Pseudomonas A genus of gram-negative, nonsporeforming, rod-shaped bacteria. Motile species possess polar flagella. They are strictly aerobic, but some members do respire anaerobically in the presence of nitrate. and Burkholderia species are important agents of plant disease. Sinorhizobium meliloti is an important beneficial microbe microbe /mi·crobe/ (mi´krob) a microorganism, especially a pathogenic one such as a bacterium, protozoan, or fungus.micro´bialmicro´bic mi·crobe n. that helps plants grow by aiding fixation of nitrogen. Phenotype MicroArrays represent a fundamental platform technology that allows scientists to easily and efficiently test hundreds to thousands of cellular traits. The technology has many uses, but the two most important uses are to determine the effect of genetic changes on cells and to determine the effect of drugs on cells. For example, many laboratories at both research universities and pharmaceutical/biotech companies want to understand the biological differences between harmless or beneficial strains of microbes and dangerous pathogenic strains of the same species. Genes involved in pathogenicity can be genetically knocked out or turned off via antisense induction methods. The PMs are then used to compare the cell line with the genetic change and see how its physiological properties (phenotypes) have changed. This provides basic insight into the disease process and also validates potential new targets for antibiotics. The current focus of the company is to develop similar arrays that will work with human cells. The company also has an active technology-licensing program to use the current generation of PMs for development of anti-bacterial and anti-fungal drugs. Biolog, a privately held company privately held company A firm whose shares are held within a relatively small circle of owners and are not traded publicly. based in Hayward, CA, is a pioneer in the development of powerful new cell analysis tools for solving critical problems in clinical, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology research and development. The company's Phenotype MicroArray technology and OmniLog(TM) PM System can be used in the discovery and development of new drugs as well as bioactive agents for animal and plant applications. Further information can be obtained at the company's website, www.biolog.com. |
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