OpGen Demonstrates Whole Human Chromosome Mapping Capabilities at 2012 AGBT Meeting
FindingsReveal Ability to Detect Structural Variations in Human Genomes, Providing
Researchers with a New Tool toInvestigate the Causes of Genetic Diseases
Gaithersburg, Md.-February 15,2012- OpGen,Inc., a whole-genome analysis company developing and commercializing a completesuite of break-through products and services based on its proprietary WholeGenome Mapping technology, announced today a new application for whole humanchromosome mapping that improves the completeness of human genomes and enablesthorough analysis of a wide spectrum of structural variations. This novelapplication will allow researchers to investigate the causes of diseases suchas autism and developmental disorders where structural variations are suspectedbut have not been observed due to the limitations of existing genomics analysistools. OpGen will present findings demonstrating this expanded functionality atthe 2012 Advances in Genome Biology and Technology (AGBT) meeting to be held inMarco Island, Florida, on February 15-18, 2012.
Preliminaryresults from a comparative genomics study using the company's Whole GenomeMapping technology and Genome-BuilderTM tool suite demonstrate the ability toefficiently and accurately order and orient large sequence scaffolds on a humangenome de novo sequence project. Thefindings also demonstrate the ability to effectively construct complete highdensity physical maps of human chromosome arms and have detected structuralvariations between human individuals. The data will be presented in a postersession by Richard Moore, M.D., Ph.D., chief scientific officer of OpGen, on Friday,February 17 at 4:30 p.m.
"Theability to detect structural variations and large scale genomic rearrangementsusing whole human chromosome mapping now enables researchers to betterunderstand the markers and origins of inherited and somatic genetic diseases, "saidGeorge M. Church, Ph.D., professor of genetics at Harvard Medical School anddirector of the Center for Computational Genetics. "OpGen's new technology is anexciting advance in the area of human genomics research and has the potentialto lead to the development of new clinical diagnostic tests and companiontherapeutics for patients."
Structuralvariations in human chromosomes are known to cause some types of mentalretardation, muscular dystrophy and certain cancers such as leukemia andlymphoma. However, very few tools exist today that can identify new structuralvariations that might be associated with human genetic diseases. Sequencing andarray CGH are limited in the kinds of genetic information they can provide. OpGen's Whole Genome Mapping technology candetect structural variations including balanced rearrangements, inversions andtranslocations, which are very challenging to detect with current methods.
"Manygenetic diseases such as autism and certain types of cancers can't be explainedby genetic sequencing alone," said Douglas White, chief executive officer atOpGen. "Until now, researchers have not had the tools necessary to correlatethe order and orientation of genes within a chromosome to completely and accuratelydetermine the structural variations. When combined with sequence data, OpGen's WholeGenome Mapping technology provides scientists with a more complete view ofhuman chromosomes. We look forward to launching this breakthrough application throughour MapIt services in 2012."
About OpGen, Inc.
OpGen, Inc. is a leading innovator in rapid, accurate genomic and DNAanalysis systems and services. The company's Argus® Whole GenomeMapping System, GenomeBuilderTM and MapIt® Services provide highresolution, whole genome maps for sequence assembly and finishing, straintyping and comparative genomics in the life sciences market. OpGen's powerfultechnology dramatically improves the quality of data and time-to results byproviding sequence information from single DNA molecules more rapidly and lessexpensively than previously possible. The company is dedicated to positivelyinfluencing individual healthcare outcomes, advancing scientific research andenhancing public health by delivering precise, actionable information andresults to customers in the life science and healthcare communities. OpGen'scustomers include leading genomic research centers, biodefense organizations,academic institutions, clinical research organizations and biotechnologycompanies. For more information, visit www.opgen.com.
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Dan Budwick
vice president, media relations
pure communications, inc.
ph: 973-271-6085
[email protected]
@DanBudwick