LIFESPAN DATABASE HELPS IN DRUG DISCOVERY EFFORTS.LifeSpan BioSciences, Inc., Seattle, Wash., a biotechnology company specializing in gene expression profiling Microarray technology is often used for gene expression profiling. It makes use of the sequence resources created by the genome sequencing projects and other sequencing efforts to answer the question, and localization Customizing software and documentation for a particular country. It includes the translation of menus and messages into the native spoken language as well as changes in the user interface to accommodate different alphabets and culture. See internationalization and l10n. in human diseases, has signed an agreement with Pfizer, Inc. (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange :PFE 1. (text, editor) PFE - Programmer's File Editor. 2. (language) PFE - Portable Forth Environment. ) for a subscription to the first database of information on the expression and localization of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) in normal and pathological human tissues. This database will provide Pfizer and other subscribers with the ability to identify and validate new target genes for their drug discovery efforts. Pfizer, has entered into the subscription to receive early access to localization data on GPCR GPCR Guanine Nucleotide-Binding Protein-Coupled Receptor GPCR GTP-binding Protein-Coupled Receptor targets, which will be added continuously to the database throughout a 2 year period. Subscribers will have the opportunity to prioritize the list of GPCR genes to be included in the database based on their internal interests. Access and updates to the database will be provided in real-time throughout the development period. G protein-coupled receptors, which are extremely valuable from a pharmacological perspective, are a large family of cell-surface molecules that act as cellular receptors for many biologically active compounds and pharmaceuticals, including major drugs. "The ongoing 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. project has allowed us to identify hundreds of new GPCRs of unknown function. Our in-house database now contains 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. and protein sequences from the majority of these genes, and many of these will prove to be important targets for future drug discovery efforts," stated Dr. Joseph P. Brown, president and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. of LifeSpan BioSciences. "LifeSpan provides its subscribers with detailed information on the expression and localization of these genes in normal tissues and in disease, which gives them greater insight into the function of these genes and their potential utility as targets for new drugs," added Brown. LifeSpan is using specific antibodies together with its extensive bank of normal and pathological tissue specimens to measure expression of GPCRs in a wide range of normal and diseased tissues. The results are interpreted by LifeSpan's in-house pathologists and used to construct a relational database, which will contain detailed information on GPCR expression in each cell type in the tissues and diseases studied, accompanied by high resolution digital images. "As a consequence of the genomics revolution, our customers find themselves swimming in a sea of genes. Our molecular pathology approach provides the next generation of information that allows them to prioritize the best potential drug targets from among the many candidates that are identified by high-throughput sequencing and gene chips," said Dr. Glenna C. Burmer, LifeSpan's chief scientific officer. LifeSpan BioSciences, headquartered in Seattle, Washington, is 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. founded in 1995, employs molecular pathology, microarrays and bioinformatics technology to identify and validate new targets for its pharmaceutical company customers in Europe, Asia and North America. Pfizer Inc, headquartered in New York City New York City: see New York, city. New York City City (pop., 2000: 8,008,278), southeastern New York, at the mouth of the Hudson River. The largest city in the U.S. and founded in 1849, is one of the world's premier research-based pharmaceutical companies. Pfizer has nearly 50,000 employees working on 6 continents discovering, developing, and delivering innovative medicines that are meeting today's health care needs for both humans and animals. Pfizer specializes in prescription medicines, over-the-counter health care products, and animal health products. For more information, visit www.lsbio.com or call 206/464-1554. |
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion