Forum to discuss Lexicon Genetics.
LEXICON GENETICS INCORPORATED
Lexicon Genetics is a leader in determining the function of genes for drug discovery using large-scale knockout mouse technology. This technology, which we refer to as gene trapping, alters the DNA of genes in a special variety of mouse cells, called embryonic stem (ES) cells, which can be cloned and used to generate mice. In these mice, the altered DNA disrupts, or ‘‘knocks out,’’ the function of the gene, enabling the study of the function of the missing gene. Our gene trapping technology also enables us to obtain DNA sequences of genes from human and mouse cells. Using this technology, we are discovering thousands of genes and expanding our OmniBank library of tens of thousands of knockout mouse clones.
Strategy
Our principal objective is to establish a leadership position in drug target and therapeutic protein discovery. The key elements of our strategy include the following:
discover and obtain proprietary rights to a substantial number of human genes using our gene trapping technology;
expand our library of knockout mice using our gene trapping technology and create custom knockout mice using our gene targeting technology;
use the Internet to establish gene function discovery collaborations based on knockout mice with researchers at pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies and academic institutions;
discover the functions of large numbers of genes that encode potential drug targets and therapeutic proteins through internal research programs using knockout mice; and
develop promising drug candidates through collaborations or with our own resources. |
