RIKEN and Perlegen Begin Collaboration to Conduct High-Resolution, Whole Genome Studies of up to 47 Common Diseases.TOKYO -- Perlegen Sciences Japan K.K. --Personalized Medicine Project Will Complete Billions of Genotypes, Bringing Together BioBank 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. Samples, Leading 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 Genotyping refers to the process of determining the genotype of an individual with a biological assay. Current methods of doing this include PCR, DNA sequencing, and hybridization to DNA microarrays or beads. Technology from Affymetrix and Perlegen, and International Expertise in Analysis of Genetic Variation RIKEN RIKEN Rikagaku Kenkyusho (Institute of Physical and Chemical Research, Japan) (The Institute of Physical and Chemical Research) and Perlegen Sciences Japan K.K. announced today that they have formed a large-scale, high-throughput research collaboration using Affymetrix technology to conduct high-resolution, whole genome association studies in Japan aimed at identifying the genetic causes of up to forty-seven common diseases. The visionary project places Japan in a leadership position in striving to understand diseases that impact many millions of people worldwide. RIKEN's SNP Research Center has already established itself as a world leader in SNP genotyping. Having developed over 300,000 SNP assays, the center has contributed over 25 percent of the genotypes that were completed by the six-country, international hap-map consortium. In addition to large scale sample tracking systems and expertise in genetics, the scientists and physicians at the SNP Research Center possess a thorough understanding of the clinical presentation of many diseases. Also, because the SNP Research Center is highly respected and has many clinical ties, it is in a strong position to quickly use the discoveries to help people in Japan and around the world. RIKEN recognized that the collaboration between the SNP Research Center and Perlegen would represent a special opportunity. The combined capabilities of both groups would be unique in the entire world. The researchers at the SNP Research Center have been recognized as the best for deciding which genetic questions to ask and for planning the best experiments. Perlegen has demonstrated that it could assist RIKEN by using next-generation Affymetrix technology to conduct first-pass genome scanning of patients to identify regions of the genome associated with many diseases. Scientists at the SNP Research Center will conduct fine-mapping in candidate regions as well as genotyping the associated SNPs in additional sample sets to confirm the results. In addition, researchers at the SNP Research Center will be able to conduct follow-up research to understand the functional biology of each genomic region. The collaborators at the SNP Research Center and Perlegen's Japanese subsidiary, Perlegen Japan, will analyze over 250,000 unique genetic variations (SNPs) in DNA samples collected from patients across Japan with funding from RIKEN. Diseases to be studied will include atherosclerosis atherosclerosis (ăth'ərōsklərō`sĭs): see arteriosclerosis. atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries , rheumatoid arthritis rheumatoid arthritis Chronic, progressive autoimmune disease causing connective-tissue inflammation, mostly in synovial joints. It can occur at any age, is more common in women, and has an unpredictable course. , epilepsy, heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease chronic obstructive pulmonary disease n. Abbr. COPD A chronic lung disease, such as asthma or emphysema, in which breathing becomes slowed or forced. , asthma, arrhythmia arrhythmia (ārĭth`mēə), disturbance in the rate or rhythm of the heartbeat. Various arrhythmias can be symptoms of serious heart disorders; however, they are usually of no medical significance except in the presence of , cerebral infarction cerebral infarction n. See stroke. cerebral infarction, n the blockage of the flow of blood to the cerebrum, causing or resulting in brain tissue death. , and many types of cancer. "Through this collaboration, Japan will significantly advance the understanding of many common diseases in a short period of time," said Yusuke Nakamura, MD, PhD, Director of the SNP Research Center at RIKEN and Director of 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. Center, Institute of Medical Science at the University of Tokyo “Todai” redirects here. For the restaurant called Todai, see Todai (restaurant). The University of Tokyo (東京大学 . "This effort marks an important step towards making 'personalized medicine' a reality, ensuring improved patient care in Japan and around the world." "It is a distinct honor for our wholly-owned subsidiary, Perlegen Japan, to be invited by RIKEN to participate in this unprecedented effort bringing together a powerful combination of unparalleled technology, an enormous network of dedicated physicians, and world-class genetic expertise," said Brad Margus, Chief Executive Officer of Perlegen. "In funding this visionary project, MEXT MEXT Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (Japan) MEXT Ministry of Education, Sports, Science and Technology (Japan) (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) has taken a leading role in accelerating the pace of international research aimed at improving the lives of millions of people with serious diseases." The results of each disease study may help to identify more precisely people who are at high risk of developing the disease, which may lead to better prevention, earlier detection and improved treatments. Scientists involved in the collaboration expect to discover new biological pathways involved in the causes of each disease, making it possible to develop drugs that target the root causes of disease rather than just the symptoms. The DNA samples to be analyzed were collected from 66 hospitals across Japan as part of the BioBank Japan initiative, coordinated by the Institute of Medical Science at the University of Tokyo. With a system for collecting DNA samples and detailed medical records of patients participating in the program, the BioBank in the University of Tokyo has already collected DNA and clinical data for approximately 150,000 Japanese cases. "The scientific leadership of Perlegen and the SNP Research Center have known each other for many years and are very comfortable working together," stated David R. Cox, MD, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer of Perlegen Sciences. "By combining the abilities of these two places, many important genetic questions can be answered together." "We intend to begin work immediately," said Dr. Nakamura of RIKEN. "Using data and DNA samples already collected as part of the BioBank Japan initiative, our initial studies will focus on cancer and heart disease." About RIKEN and the SNP Research Center The objectives of RIKEN are to conduct comprehensive research in science and technology (excluding only humanities and social sciences) under the "RIKEN Law," and to disseminate the results of its scientific research and technological developments. RIKEN carries out high level experimental and research work in a wide range of fields, including physics, chemistry, medical science, biology, and engineering extending from basic research to practical application. This institute was first founded in 1917 (Taisho 6) as a private research foundation known as "RIKEN." In 2003, it was reorganized re·or·gan·ize v. re·or·gan·ized, re·or·gan·iz·ing, re·or·gan·iz·es v.tr. To organize again or anew. v.intr. To undergo or effect changes in organization. as an Independent Administrative Institution An Independent Administrative Institution (独立行政法人, Dokuritsu gyōsei hōjin, IAI) is a newly designed type of legal body for Japanese governmental organizations regulated by the under the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, since when it has engaged in wide-ranging research activities that span basic to applied science. The SNP Research Center (SRC (SouRCe) Contrast with DST, which is an abbreviation of "destination." ) at RIKEN was established in 2000 as part of the Millennium Genome Projects genome project 1 The Human Genome Project, see there 2. A general term for a coordinated research initiative for mapping and sequencing the genome of any organism initiated by the government. SRC has developed an accurate and high-throughput system for the SNP analysis and has been producing research results on genes associated with various common diseases. These research results have been presented at international and domestic academic conferences, helping to keep SRC in a leading position in SNP-related disease-gene analysis. About Personalized Medicine  The external links in this article or section may require cleanup to comply with Wikipedia's content policies. Project The SNP Research Center plays an important role in the Leading Project of MEXT targeting the establishment of "personalized medicine." Led by Yusuke Nakamura, MD, PhD, Director of the SNP Research Center at RIKEN and also Director of the Human Genome Center, Institute of Medical Science at the University of Tokyo, the Leading Project consists of the two major parts, one for construction of the BioBank of Japan in which DNA and sera from 300,000 patients will be stored and the other for a large-scale genotyping to identify genes susceptible to various diseases and those associated with efficacies and adverse reactions adverse reactions, n.pl unfavorable reactions resulting from administration of a local anesthetic; responsible factors include the drug used, concentration, and route of administration. of various drugs. About Perlegen Sciences Perlegen Sciences, Inc. is working to provide safe and effective medicines to the world. The company quickly and cost effectively analyzes millions of genetic variations in DNA samples obtained from clinical trial participants. This information is used to explain and predict the efficacy and adverse effect profiles of prescription drugs prescription drug Prescription medication Pharmacology An FDA-approved drug which must, by federal law or regulation, be dispensed only pursuant to a prescription–eg, finished dose form and active ingredients subject to the provisos of the Federal Food, Drug, . Perlegen also applies this expertise to discovering genetic variants associated with disease for potential new therapeutics and diagnostics. For years, scientists and drug manufacturers have been eager to comprehensively examine entire genomes; through Perlegen, this is now possible. Perlegen is able to bring drugs to the market wherein clinical development could have been otherwise discontinued. Based in Mountain View, California For the census-designated place, see Mountain View, Contra Costa County, California. For other places called "Mountain View", see . Mountain View is a city in Santa Clara County, in the U.S. state of California. The city gets its name from the views of the Santa Cruz Mountains. , Perlegen was formed in late 2000 as a spin-off from Affymetrix, Inc. (Nasdaq:AFFX). For more information about the company and its technologies, visit Perlegen's website at www.perlegen.com. Perlegen Sciences, Perlegen, and the Perlegen logo are trademarks of Perlegen Sciences, Inc. |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion