Celera Genomics Launches SNP Reference Database Product With More Than 2.8 Million Unique SNPs.Business Editors/Health & Medical Writers ROCKVILLE, Md.--(BW HealthWire)--Sept. 13, 2000 Celera Genomics (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange :CRA See Community Reinvestment Act. ), a PE Corporation business, today announced that it has launched its Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Noun 1. single nucleotide polymorphism - (genetics) genetic variation in a DNA sequence that occurs when a single nucleotide in a genome is altered; SNPs are usually considered to be point mutations that have been evolutionarily successful enough to recur in a (SNP SNP Scottish National Party Noun 1. SNP - (genetics) genetic variation in a DNA sequence that occurs when a single nucleotide in a genome is altered; SNPs are usually considered to be point mutations that have been evolutionarily ) database for 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. , which is expected to support and accelerate pharmacogenomics research. From Celera's sequencing of five ethnically diverse donors, Celera's first database release contains 2.4 million unique, proprietary SNPs. These, combined with 400,000 non-overlapping, unique SNPs screened from the public databases, brings the total number of SNPs in the Celera SNP Reference Database to 2.8 million. The average SNP density along the human genome is one SNP per 1,250 base pairs. Celera's SNP Reference Database, part of the web-based Celera Discovery System, is intended to support the discovery and characterization of human genetic variation involved in disease, drug efficacy, and drug toxicity. The genetic variation data are fully integrated with the genome, gene, and protein structure data in Celera's Genome Reference Database and linked to specific base pair locations on the genome. The database also features allele frequency allele frequency The percentage of a population of a species that carries a particular allele on a given chromosome locus. , population data, validation status, and trace data for all variations. "The advantages of using the whole genome shotgun technique shotgun technique Malpractice A strategy by a plaintiff in a civil action involving multiple potential defendants, where all possible parties are named, in a shotgun-like manner for sequencing genomes are uniform SNP coverage of the genome and the fact that every SNP is mapped to its exact genome location," said J. Craig Venter  The introduction of this article is too short.To comply with Wikipedia's lead section guidelines, it should be expanded. , Ph.D., Celera's president and chief scientific officer. "Combining the genetic variation information from Celera's diverse donor pool with the annotated human genome and other publicly available sources should give researchers a better understanding of the variations in the genetic code and should enable pharmaceutical, biotech, and academic researchers to discover improved drug therapies through enhanced knowledge of the genetic basis of disease, drug efficacy and drug toxicity in individuals." Celera's SNP Reference Database is expected to be the single most comprehensive and integrated source of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), the major form 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. variation responsible for human traits, certain illnesses, and variable drug safety and efficacy. SNPs may provide the foundation for new diagnostics, therapeutics, and predictive medicine The goal of predictive medicine is to identify biological markers in order to enrole individuals at high risk for developing a disease in special early detection trials. Different approaches exist to develop predictive medicine, such as genomics, proteomics, and cytomics. products. SNPs are also extremely useful tools for the discovery and assignment of function for new genes in population studies. These correlations to individual genetic profiles represent an important basis for future developments in the interaction between consumers, physicians, and solution providers, enabling personalized medicine and health planning. As part of this database, Celera has also entered into a licensing agreement with the University of Wales College of Medicine The University of Wales College of Medicine was a medical school based in the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, that formed a part of the University of Wales. It was also known as UWCM and by its Welsh name Coleg Meddygaeth Prifysgol Cymru. , Institute of Medical Genetics medical genetics n. The study of the etiology, pathogenesis, and natural history of diseases and disorders that are at least partially genetic in origin. at Cardiff that provides Celera and its database subscribers with a period of exclusive access to new information being added to the College's Human Gene Mutation Database (HGMD HGMD Human Gene Mutation Database HGMD Hybrid Genetic Multiuser Detector ). The agreement also allows for future collaborations, including joint software and database development. After the period of exclusivity, the HGMD will be made publicly available through the existing Cardiff web site. The HGMD is a comprehensive database of inherited lesions in more than 1000 human genes that includes information about the disease-related genes including gene name, published scientific research on each gene, and the gene's chromosomal location. New proprietary information will, during the period of exclusivity, continuously replenish older information. In addition to the HGMD, Celera has also integrated dbSNP (including information from the SNP Consortium) and variation information from literature mining. PE Corporation comprises two operating groups. The Celera Genomics Group, headquartered in Rockville, MD, intends to become the definitive source of genomic and related medical information. The PE Biosystems Group (NYSE:PEB PEB Physical Evaluation Board PEB Presidential Emergency Board PEB Post Exposure Bake PEB Professional Engineers Board (Singapore) PEB Pre-Engineered Building PEB Personal Electronic Ballot PEB Performance Evaluation Board ), now conducting business under the Applied Biosystems name, develops and markets instrument-based systems, reagents, software, and contract services to the life science industry and research community. Applied Biosystems is headquartered in Foster City, CA and reported sales of $1.4 billion during fiscal 2000. Information about the company, including reports and other information filed by the company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, is available on the worldwide web at www.pecorporation.com or by phoning 800/762-6923. The Celera Discovery System is Celera's web-based portal through which a variety of customers including academic, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and the public access Celera's expanding databases and analysis tools. Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking. These may be identified by the use of forward-looking words or phrases such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "should," "intend," "planned," "estimated," and "potential," among others. These forward-looking statements are based on PE 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, PE 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. The risks and uncertainties that may affect the operations, performance, development, and results of Celera Genomics' businesses include but are not limited to (1) operating losses to date; (2) a unique and expanding business plan; (3) dependence on the final assembly and annotation of the human genome; (4) uncertainty of revenue growth; (5) unproven use of genomics information to develop products; (6) intense competition in the evolving genomics industry; (7) dependence on customers in and subject to the risks of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries; (8) heavy reliance on strategic relationship with the PE Biosystems group; (9) potential product liability claims; (10) liabilities related to use of hazardous materials; (11) lengthy sales cycle; (12) dependence on the unique expertise of its scientific and management staff; (13) uncertainty of patent, copyright, and intellectual property protection; (14) dependence on computer hardware, software, and internet applications; (15) access to biological materials; (16) legal, ethical, and social issues affecting demand for products; (17) disruptions caused by rapid growth of the business; (18) government regulation of its products and services; (19) risks of future acquisitions; and (20) uncertainty of outcome of stockholder 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. ; and (21) other factors that might be described from time to time in PE Corporation's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Note to Editors: Celera, Celera Genomics, Celera Discovery System, Celera SNP Reference Database, and PE Biosystems are trademarks of PE Corporation. |
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