Rubicon Genomics, Inc. Launches Omniplex™ Whole Genome Amplification Services
The front-end solution for more robust and comprehensive genotyping
Ann Arbor, MI, December 16, 2002 — Rubicon Genomics, Inc. today announced the launch of the company’s service business using its OmniPlex™ whole genome amplification (WGA) technology. Rubicon’s proprietary in vitro method to convert very small amounts of genomic DNA into OmniPlex PCR-amplifiable libraries, have 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 managing genetic resources for comprehensive genotyping,” said Fred G. Beyerlein, president and chief executive officer of Rubicon Genomics. “The roll-out of our WGA services demonstrates our dedication to this goal by providing products and services to address the impending shortage of DNA for disease gene discovery, pharmacogenomics and companion diagnostics.”
OmniPlex WGA is the most accurate and robust method to amplify the entire human genome for mutation discovery and genotyping. OmniPlex is simpler, faster, more accurate, more representative and more robust than currently-practiced random primer amplification technologies. The ability to amplify small amounts of even degraded DNA >5000-fold while retaining excellent representation of coding and non-coding loci has been experimentally demonstrated on multiple genotyping platforms.
“We have identified an important shortcoming in current pharmacogenomics and disease-association studies,” said John Langmore, co-founder and vice president of commercial development of Rubicon Genomics. “Our OmniPlex service business provides pharmaceutical companies and academic institutions a high-throughput, fast-turnaround and cost-effective solution this bottleneck.”
OmniPlex WGA products and services provide the highest quality DNA amplification with complete quality control and addresses applications in: Genome-wide disease association studies • Unlimited genotyping, sequencing and resequencing of blood, blood spots, buccal swabs and frozen or fixed tissue, including degraded DNA capabilities • Mail-in samples for reduced cost and increased participation • Renewable archive for world-wide sourcing and distribution Pharmacogenomic studies • Unlimited genotyping or sequencing from clinical samples, fresh or archived biopsy materials and degraded samples Molecular diagnostics and forensics • Practical point-of-care or on-demand centralized analysis from archived or recovered samples
Additional applications of OmniPlex to amplification of large regions of DNA for high-throughput genotyping, haplotyping, and mutation discovery are being developed and will soon be launched commercially.
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.