News
QIAGEN Genomics teams up with Genomics Collaborative for large scale SNP analysis
August 2, 2000
SNPs are being investigated for their potential role in disease causation and individual drug therapy response. As the mapping of the human genome nears completion, a growing effort is focusing on the elucidation of SNPs and, most importantly, the longer term determination of their clinical relevance.
These efforts focusing on SNPs require sample and patient data resources to access specific patient populations that have been qualified for a disease, as well as proven, accurate and reproducible high throughput SNP measurement methods to score, or measure, the SNPs in association with patient DNA.
The alliance of the two companies will provide clients with access to key genomic resources for selection of patient population samples and high throughput SNP genotyping analysis of the selected samples.
GCI has built a state-of-the-art repository of human DNA, tissue and serum samples that are linked to detailed medical and demographic data from selected populations. These samples have been obtained prospectively from a worldwide network of physicians and academic medical centers, pursuant to protocols incorporating appropriate informed consent and receiving institutional review board approval.
"We at GCI are excited to join forces with QIAGEN Genomics," stated Michael J. Pellini, MD, president and COO of Genomics Collaborative. "We believe that this unique combination of services will be responsive to the pharmacogenomic needs of the pharmaceutical and biotech industry."
"Searching for genotypic and phenotypic associations requires access to well phenotyped, properly consented DNA and tissue samples and medical histories from large numbers of patients," said Karen Hedine, QIAGEN Genomics' General Manager. "We feel that this alliance is a significant step forward in the next generation of gene-based drug discovery and diagnostic development."
QIAGEN Genomics is a high throughput SNP genotyping services provider. The company to date has measured hundreds of thousands of genotypes on behalf of clients in its dedicated, first of its kind, good laboratory practices and quality oriented services facility. QIAGEN Genomics' proprietary Masscode tagging approach to SNP genotyping requires very small amounts of genomic DNA to perform at highest standards. This is a significant benefit considering the often very limited amounts of patient samples available. In addition, QIAGEN Genomics believes that analyses applying the Masscode tags are highly quantitative, accurate and cost effective. QIAGEN Genomics uses its Masscode tagging chemistry in combination with low cost yet highly accurate and quantitative single quadrupole mass spectrometry, enabling the company to perform over 40,000 SNP genotypes per day per instrument. The company also offers nucleic acid extraction, DNA sequencing and other genomics-related services in addition to Masscode technology access programs.
Genomics Collaborative is creating a global network of collaborators with DNA and tissue sources and building its state-of-the-art DNA and tissue Global Repository. The company is uniquely positioned to respond the need for properly consented, validated, high quality and well-phenotyped DNA, serum and tissue linked to detailed medical and demographic data. Developed from a current network of over 250 investigator sites worldwide, GCI Global Repository presently contains over 45,000 samples and will grow to 100,000 samples by year-end. GCI expects to ultimately reach a steady state of approximately 500,000 samples. Genomics Collaborative is also building an unparalleled GCI Discovery database based on its collaborations with genomics, proteomics, expression profiling, medical and informatics companies.
Contact: Karen Hedine, General Manager, QIAGEN Genomics, Inc., (425) 398-3140, e-mail: k.hedine@qiagengenomics.com or Michael J. Pellini, President & COO, Genomics Collaborative, Inc., (617) 661-2499, x 243, e-mail: mpellini@genecoop.com.
Edited by Laura DeFrancesco
Managing Editor, BioResearch Online
QIAGEN Inc., 28159 Avenue Stanford, Valencia, CA 91355. Tel: 800-426-8157; Fax: 800-718-2056.
