Duke University Medical Center Selects Agencourt Bioscience to Provide Genomic Services to Aid in Cancer Research.Business/Technology Editors & Health/Medical Writers BEVERLY, Mass.--(BW HealthWire)--March 25, 2002 Agencourt's Patented SPRI SPRI Scott Polar Research Institute (University of Cambridge) SPRI Single Ply Roofing Institute SPRI Schering-Plough Research Institute (Corporate division) Technology Will Support Development of Largest Public Database of Cancer Gene Expressions Agencourt Bioscience Corporation, a provider of genomic services and products to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of drug development pipelines, today announced that Duke University Medical Center has selected Agencourt to provide genomic services to further its cancer research. Under a contract funded through the National Cancer Institute's (NCI See Liberate. ) Cancer Genome Anatomy Project (CGAP CGAP Consultative Group to Assist the Poorest CGAP Cancer Genome Anatomy Project CGAP Certified Government Auditing Professional CGAP Call Gapping Interval CGAP Commission on Government Accountability to the People (Florida) ), Agencourt will use its patented Solid Phase Reversible Immobilization Immobilization Definition Immobilization refers to the process of holding a joint or bone in place with a splint, cast, or brace. This is done to prevent an injured area from moving while it heals. (SPRI(TM)) technology to aid researchers in determining the molecular anatomy of normal, pre-cancer and cancer cells. Mapping, evaluating and sequencing the genes of cells at various stages of cancer growth will eventually lead to improved detection, diagnosis and treatment for cancer patients. Duke University Medical Center's Brain Cancer Genomics Laboratory studies the molecular genetics molecular genetics n. The branch of genetics that deals with hereditary transmission and variation on the molecular level. of brain tumors, which is one of the top ten causes of cancer death in the U.S. In order to catalog genes and genetic pathways that contribute to brain tumor formation, Duke researchers helped create SAGEmap, the first and largest public database of genes that are abnormally expressed in brain and other cancers. To build SAGEmap, researchers use Serial Analysis of Gene Expression Serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) is a technique used by molecular biologists to produce a snapshot of the messenger RNA population in a sample of interest. The original technique was developed by Dr. (SAGE), an experimental technique that takes advantage of high-throughput sequencing technology such as SPRI to quantify all expressed genes within a sample of cells. Under this contract, Agencourt will use SPRI and its leading-edge genomic services pipeline to sequence SAGE libraries, enabling better comparison of gene expression patterns between normal and cancerous tissues. All resources generated by the project are publicly accessible and intended to speed the fight against cancer. Agencourt's expertise in executing large-scale projects and its proven ability to provide high quality data effectively and expeditiously will help speed the development of a centralized source of high quality gene expression data that will allow for genetic comparison between normal tissues and those which are cancerous. "Agencourt is pleased to team with Duke University Medical Center on this important cancer research initiative," said Paul McEwan, co-chief Scientific Officer for Agencourt. "We are confident that this project will help accelerate the process of identifying and eradicating various cancers much earlier than current technology allows." About Duke University Medical Center Duke University Medical Center is dedicated to providing patient care, professional education, and biomedical research. It includes Duke University Hospital; Duke University School of Medicine The Duke University School of Medicine is part of the Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina. Curriculum The School of Medicine has a unique curriculum among American medical schools. ; Duke University School of Nursing The Duke University School of Nursing is located in Durham, NC and is affiliated with Duke University. The school offers an accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a Master of Science in Nursing, and a Ph.D. Program. ; the Private Diagnostic Clinic, PLLC PLLC Professional Limited Liability Company PLLC Polk Life and Learning Center (Bartow, FL) PLLC Partners of Limited Liability Corporation ; and, one of the largest biomedical research enterprises in the country. About National Cancer Institute (NCI) The National Cancer Institute is the nation's principal federal agency for cancer research. Its mission is to stimulate and support scientific discovery and its application to achieve a future when all cancers are uncommon and easily treated. For more information, please visit www.cancer.gov. About Agencourt Bioscience Corporation Agencourt Bioscience Corporation is a provider of genomic services and products such as DNA Sequencing, 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 Genotyping and 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 to the life sciences industry. Agencourt solutions help biotech and pharmaceutical companies improve the effectiveness and efficiency of their drug development pipelines. The company's proven and patented Solid Phase Reversible Immobilization (SPRI(TM)) technology has been used to sequence over 20 billion base pairs of high-quality DNA or more than one-third of the human genome. Several of Agencourt's founders worked at the Whitehead Institute Center for Genome Research, and have significant experience in marrying the chemistries and instrumentation for high-throughput genomics. Agencourt is located in Beverly, Mass. and is available on the Web at www.agencourt.com. |
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