Genometrix Awarded a Grant for Large-Scale Genetic Analysis.THE WOODLANDS, Texas--(BW HealthWire)--Nov. 11, 1998--Genometrix Inc. has been awarded a $1.6 million grant jointly from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) is one of 27 Institutes and Centers of the National Institutes of Health (NIH),which is a component of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The Director of the NIEHS is Dr. David A. Schwartz. and the National 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. Research Institute. The grant, titled "The Risk-Tox Chip Program," funds development of DNA microarray technology for the purpose of large-scale genomic analysis. The technology platform is based upon proprietary Genometrix technologies for mass production and high-speed processing of DNA microarrays. Dr. Michael Hogan, chief scientific officer of Genometrix, serves as the principal investigator of the grant, which also funds testing and informatics development at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and at the FDA's National Center for Toxicological Research The National Center for Toxicological Research is the branch of the United States Food and Drug Administration which conducts research to define biological mechanisms of action underlying the toxicity of products regulated by the FDA. It is located off Interstate 530 in Arkansas. . The M.D. Anderson effort is coordinated by co-Principal Investigator Margaret Spitz spitz Any of several northern dogs, including the chow chow, Pomeranian, and Samoyed, characterized by a dense, long coat, erect pointed ears, and a tail that curves over the back. In the U.S. . Chairman of the Department of Epidemiology and internationally recognized in the molecular epidemiology molecular epidemiology Molecular medicine An evolving field that combines the tools of standard epidemiology–case studies, questionnaires and monitoring of exposure to external factors with the tools of molecular biology–eg, restriction endonucleases, of cancer. The FDA FDA abbr. Food and Drug Administration FDA, n.pr See Food and Drug Administration. FDA, n.pr the abbreviation for the Food and Drug Administration. effort is headed by Dr. Fred Kadlubar. Director of the Division of Molecular Epidemiology and internationally recognized in the molecular toxicology of environmental chemicals and pharmaceutical compounds. Dr. Hogan states, "This NIEHS/NHGRI grant provides Genometrix additional resources to further develop a technology platform and advanced informatics capacity to support very large-scale population-based studies." The plan for the next 12 months is to demonstrate DNA microarray technology and associated automation for the practical analysis of genetic variation in sets of 10-15 genes, at a rate of 1,536 samples per workstation each day. The 24-month plan is to extend the technology to allow for 3,072 samples per day on each of the several automated DNA microarray workstations at Genometrix. Dr. Hogan further adds, "The platform to be developed with NIEHS/NHGRI support will further support a new era in population-based studies, which will discover rapidly, and at low cost, the complex patters of genetic variation which predispose pre·dis·pose v. To make susceptible, as to a disease. individuals to cancer, cardiovascular disease Cardiovascular disease Disease that affects the heart and blood vessels. Mentioned in: Lipoproteins Test cardiovascular disease , arthritis and other diseases with a genetic component." Once discovered, the speed and cost effectiveness of the Genometrix DNA microarray technology will allow genetic risk factors to be analyzed as a relatively simple, automated blood test. In that way, detailed genetic analysis can be used routinely in the clinic for pharmaceutical and lifestyle intervention into the disease process. Genometrix Inc., located in The Woodlands, Texas, is a pioneer in the development of high-throughput microarray technology for applied genomic, diagnostic and pharmaceutical development. Additional information can be obtained from the web at www.genometrix.com. |
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