Rubicon Launches OmniPlex™ Whole Genome Restoration of Damaged DNA From Pathology and Other Samples
Feb. 10, 2003 — Rubicon
Bringing Large-Scale Genetic Analysis to Minute Quantities of Damaged DNA
Ann Arbor, MI, February 10, 2003 -- Rubicon Genomics, Inc. today announced the launch of the company’s service business using its OmniPlex™ whole genome restoration (WGR) to recover genetic information from previously unusable genetic materials. Rubicon’s proprietary in vitro method restore large amounts of genetic information from very small amounts of degraded DNA has powerful applications in gene-based target discovery, drug development, diagnostics, and forensics.
“Part of Rubicon’s business strategy is to become the industry standard for creating and managing genetic resources for science and medicine,” said Fred G. Beyerlein, president and chief executive officer of Rubicon Genomics. “Rubicon’s commercialization of OmniPlex whole genome restoration for formalin-fixed pathology and other degraded samples opens the door to retrospective studies on a large fraction of the 300 million DNA samples that have been archived in unusable form at major research institutions and clinics over the last 100 years.”
OmniPlex whole genome amplification (WGA) has been previously commercialized for large-scale genetic analysis of DNA samples recently collected for disease studies and clinical trials. OmniPlex to whole genome restoration (WGR) to recover genetic information from degraded materials creates new value in hundreds of DNA and tissue banks spread throughput the world by making it possible to use those archived samples for researchers and drug companies to understand disease and develop new treatments.
“Everyone is aware of the fact that genetic materials from extinct animals and plants have been accidentally trapped in amber for millions of years,” said Dr. Vladimir Makarov, co-founder and chief scientific officer of Rubicon. “When physicians and surgeons biopsy patient tissue for the pathologist to examine, they have also trapped DNA that is stable for tens or perhaps hundreds of years. Previously, the genetic information in these pathology samples was hidden to effective genetic analysis, because the chromosomes recovered from those samples have been broken into tens of millions of tiny, random pieces. Although OmniPlex cannot physically reattach the tiny pieces of DNA in the correct order, it does enable computers (using information from the Human Genome Project) to reconstruct important genetic information as originally present in the tissue. Thus DNA trapped on the shelves of tissue banks can be studied using modern genetic tools that were not available when the tissue was collected.”
OmniPlex degraded-DNA WGA and analysis services have unique applications: • Unlimited genotyping and sequencing of previously under-utilized archived, degraded DNA • Use of biopsy samples to discover genes and mutations involved with cancer and other diseases • Use of degraded, aged samples of dried blood spots • World-wide sourcing and distribution of genetic resources • Non-invasive molecular diagnostics from degraded DNA in bodily fluids • Forensic identification from degraded samples
About Rubicon Genomics, Inc. Rubicon, located in Ann Arbor, MI, develops and commercializes proprietary OmniPlex™ technology to facilitate gene-based research, drug development, diagnostics, and forensics. More information can be found at www.rubicongenomics.com.