DURHAM, N.C. - (Business Wire) Expression Analysis, a leading provider of genomic services for clinical trials and research, has confirmed the purchase of the first Helicos
™ Genetic Analysis System, from Helicos BioSciences Corporation, and will shortly accept delivery of this state-of-the-art instrumentation. The system consists of the HeliScope
™ Single Molecule Sequencer, the HeliScope
™ Analysis Engine and the Heliscope
™ Sample Loader, all designed for production-level genetic analysis. Central to the platform is the proprietary sequencing-by-synthesis approach called True Single Molecule Sequencing (tSMS)
™.
“We are excited to be incorporating this universal genomic analysis tool into our laboratory and to begin offering Next Generation sequencing services,” said Steve McPhail, President and CEO of Expression Analysis. “The HeliScope Sequencer will provide the sensitivity, specificity and throughput necessary to open new research avenues and answer biological questions never before possible. Key applications including de novo sequencing, candidate gene sequencing, and digital gene expression offer the company opportunities to provide significant value-added services to our clients. For example, we will now be able to conduct cost-effective follow-up to genome-wide association studies through targeted resequencing,” continued McPhail.
“The effective translation of genomic discoveries into translational research requires increasingly large studies to investigate the normal underlying heterogeneity of human disease. The single molecule sequencing technology enables the scale of studies required throughout the drug discovery and development process, providing a unique opportunity for Expression Analysis clients,” stated Dr. Patrice Milos, PhD, Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer of Helicos.
Steve Lombardi, President and COO of Helicos added, “Helicos is pleased that Expression Analysis has chosen our platform for their next stage of growth. The HelicosTM Genetic Analysis System, driven by the world’s first single molecule DNA sequencing technology, was designed from day one to enable a whole new generation of scientists with powerful tools for interrogating the genome. As more knowledge of the whole genome is elucidated, customers like Expression Analysis deploying that knowledge into useful applications will dramatically grow the market.”
With the addition of this technology, clients of Expression Analysis will gain new insight into underlying biology providing a more focused approach to the diagnosis, treatment and management of complex diseases. The HeliScope represents a more comprehensive approach to current genomic technologies enabling a deeper understanding of the human genome and human biology and a significant step toward the $1,000 genome.
About Expression Analysis, Inc.
Expertise Beyond Expression -- Providing whole genome to focused set gene expression and genotyping assays, along with sequencing services using Illumina BeadChip®, Affymetrix GeneChip®, Helicos True Single Molecule Sequencing (tSMS)™ and Applied Biosystems’ TaqMan technologies. As the leading provider of genomic services in clinical trials and research, Expression Analysis offers solutions for challenging specimens such as whole blood and FFPE tissues, as well as nucleic acid isolation and data analysis services. The company’s quality system follows CLSI guidelines and their CLIA-registered lab supports GLP compliance.
About Helicos BioSciences
Helicos BioSciences is a life science company focused on innovative genetic analysis technologies for the research, drug discovery, and diagnostic markets. Helicos' proprietary True Single Molecule Sequencing, tSMSTM, technology allows direct measurement of billions of strands of DNA enabling scientists to perform experiments and ask questions never before possible.
Expression Analysis
Karen Michailo, 919-287-4277;
kmichailo@expressionanalysis.com
