454 Life Sciences announces publication describing proprietary technology for massively parallel DNA amplification

Enabling technology for miniaturized DNA amplification is described in the journal Electrophoresis

25-Nov-2003

454 Life Sciences, an innovative technology company working to make the sequencing of whole genomes of any size commonplace and a majority-owned subsidiary of CuraGen Corporation announced that the Company's novel method to prepare and amplify all fragments of a genome for sequencing in a single, massively parallel operation has been published in the journal electrophoresis. The method describes the amplification component of the Company's proprietary systems approach. This is the first solid-phase sequencing technology designed to miniaturize, as well as compress the time and cost required for determining the nucleotide sequence of whole genomes.

The manuscript is titled "A massively parallel PicoTiterPlate(TM) based platform for discrete picoliter-scale polymerase chain reactions," and is accessible online at http://www.wiley-vch.de/publish/en/journals/alphabeticIndex/2027/. The authors demonstrate successful, simultaneous polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of several hundred thousand discrete reactions in a novel platform called the PicoTiterPlate. Furthermore, this elevated throughput was accomplished using micro fluidic reaction wells, which are so small that four wells fit on the end of a human hair, thus achieving a well volume of only 75 picoliters. This breakthrough will greatly facilitate large-scale, whole genome library sequencing without the time-consuming sample preparation and expensive, error-prone cloning processes.

"The pace at which we're scaling this technology is a testament to our focus on revolutionizing the entire practice of whole genome sequencing, from sample in the door to completed assembly," stated Richard F. Begley, Ph.D., President and CEO of 454 Life Sciences. "As we prepare for commercialization in 2004, our goal is to make 454 Life Sciences' technology robust and easy to use for all potential customers with genomes of any size that need sequencing. While this is a small step towards simple, fast, and cost-effective whole genome sequencing, I believe our progress is among the most important to-date. The potential applications for the technology and services include anti- bioterrorism and the fight against emerging pathogens, agricultural research, drug development, and academic research."

Established in 2000, 454 Life Sciences develops technologies and tools to sequence whole genomes using a massively parallel, scalable platform that compresses the time, cost, sample preparation, and space required to determine the nucleotide sequence of whole genomes. The Company's technology is the first solid-phase sequencing technology designed to scale from viral, to bacterial, and ultimately, to human genomes. Unlike genome mapping, which shows how large pieces of DNA break at points of interest, 454 Life Sciences' whole genome sequencing technology rapidly determines a genome's full nucleotide sequence. The Company's technology enables a single individual to not only prepare, but also sequence a genome after performing only one sample preparation, irrespective of the size of the genome being investigated. This approach is in stark contrast to standard sequencing methods that are significantly more expensive and laborious. For example, to sequence the human genome, the effort required approximately 60 million sample preparations, 12 years and $2.7 billion dollars. The Company plans to commercialize its technology by selling instruments and offering genomic sequencing services starting in the first half of 2004.

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Topic World PCR

This groundbreaking and highly versatile molecular technique of PCR allows us to amplify tiny amounts of genetic material on a large scale and analyze them in detail. Whether in medical diagnostics, forensic DNA analysis or research into genetic diseases - PCR is an indispensable tool that gives us deep insights into the world of DNA. Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)!

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View topic world

Topic World PCR

This groundbreaking and highly versatile molecular technique of PCR allows us to amplify tiny amounts of genetic material on a large scale and analyze them in detail. Whether in medical diagnostics, forensic DNA analysis or research into genetic diseases - PCR is an indispensable tool that gives us deep insights into the world of DNA. Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)!

15+ products
5+ whitepaper
15+ brochures