RE: CLYC. From dnaprint.com:
Advantages
As one of the first practitioners in the new field of Phenomics, we hold distinct advantages.
Our advantages are:
1.We have developed and patented a proprietary biochemical reagent (TruSeqTM) for high-throughput genetic analysis using a
DNA chip based or electrophoresis based platform technology.
2.We are forming strategic alliances with other genomics and pharmacogenomics companies, for access to raw materials and
intellectual property, lowering our R and D basis.
3.We are assembling a proprietary collection of LIMS (FEMSTM) and heuristic software tools for a revolutionary data mining
process specially suited for Phenomics applications.
4.We are compiling unique SNP databases for target phenotypes and diseases. Our proprietary data mining routines capitalize on
the newness of high-throughput genotyping technology and the recent completion of the human genome project.
PhenomixTMSNiP databases
We have developed unique and comprehensive SNP databases through the use of proprietary data mining techniques. Our work has so far
resulted in two distinct databases, one for cancer predisposition screening and the other for drug interactivity screening. Our databases are
fully annotated, and contain relevant LocusLink, Medline, UniGene, Entrez, and PubMed information. What makes our database even
more unique is that it contains flanking sequence 5’ and 3’ for each target SNP which enables rapid application to microchip based
screening platforms. The data and annotation that we have compiled does not currently exist in any NCBI or other public database, and
we currently enjoy their exclusive use.
TruSeqTM
This patent-pending product was developed by DNAPrint Genomics scientists. It is a molecular biology reagent that enhances the
efficiency of thermocycle enzyme reactions which form the basis for automated DNA cycle sequencing, STR profiling and SNP
profiling. TruSeqTM does this by stabilizing the structure and performance of the main enzymes used for these procedures. Since it
stabilizes these enzymes, less of the enzyme is needed for each assay. As the cost of the enzyme is responsible for over 90% of the cost
of the kits for these procedures, scientists who use TruSeqTM enjoy dramatic costs savings. The performance of the reagent is excellent -
although reactions diluted with other buffers or reagents show generally poor data quality, TruSeqTM diluted reactions perform as well as
undiluted reactions. The product has been independently validated by scientists around the country. and at present we enjoy its exclusive
use.
TruSpinTM
A patent-pending, multi-well, reusable spin column tool by which to purify DNA sequencing reactions and other DNA profile reactions
prior to analysis by automated equipment. When used with cycle DNA sequencing reactions, TruSpinTM eliminates the primer and
unincorporated nucleotide peaks which commonly disrupt data analysis. Current tools available on the market use disposable plastic
parts and resin bed heights that are unsuitable for efficient DNA purification. Further, they are expensive. The TruSpinTM product
enables superior purification in a reusable format through patent-pending design parameters and protocol development. Since it is
re-usable, it saves money.
FEMS
DNAPrint Genomics has developed a Front-End Management System (FEMS) software product to manage the workflow of DNA
through automated DNA analysis equipment. The work load going into this equipment (front-end to the machine) represents a
rate-limiting step for high-throughput operation. Before the development of FEMS, many hours were wasted by DNA technicians as
they program the equipment for operation and track samples. Our software automates this tedious process. FEMS enables the
auto-generation of DNA template identification numbers, establishes a DNA template physical archive system, creates a database for the
archival of template annotation data, enables bar-code retrieval of DNA from an archive database, and enables the automated loading of
DNA template annotation into the operating software of DNA sequencing and DNA profiling machines. These tasks are critical to
managing the tremendous amount of data that is inherent to DNA work. The company has written an NIH grant focusing on funding the
further development of this software. This company intends to modify FEMS for use with SNP profiling software and equipment to
form one of the first FEMS specifically for high-throughput genotyping.
Our Aim
We intend to enable the application of human genomics to help prevent, define and diagnose disease. We will do this by developing a
new high throughput informatics platform by which SNPs and complex sets of SNPs can be holistically and comprehensively
associated with complex diseases and physical traits.
Our model is to license/partner our platform to generate 21st century medicines, and enable personalized medical analysis. We will do
this through a combination of license/partnerships, hardware and software placement and application service provider (ASP) based
models.
DNAPrint genomics is a young e-biotech company based in southwest
Florida. We are developing an informatics platform system that will
provide dynamic solutions for disease gene discovery, genetic
predisposition and genetic analysis testing. Our work has real-life
application to the germinating field of Personalized Medicine and
will help lay the foundation for a brand-new area of medical research called
Phenomics.
The PhenomeSM platform system that we are developing will help identify an individual predisposed to develop cancer before the onset
of illness so that lifestyles can be altered and/or preventative measures taken. It will be used to identify individuals who are incompatible
with certain drug treatments before the drugs are prescribed and damage is done. It will be used to tease out important genetic
determinants associated with complex genetic diseases, so that drugs can be developed to target these genes.
Our aim is ambitious. By partnering our platform with biotech/pharma, we will participate in the downstream profits generated from
pharmaceutical products our platform has enabled. By marketing our platform directly to the public, we intend to make comprehensive
genotype screening solutions accessible to people all over the world via the internet. Our system will enable a more holistic approach to
using genomics information to improve peoples lives.
The patient of the future will have more information and power than ever imagined. The human genome project, the internet and recent
technological advancements all contribute to make this possible, and we intend to take advantage of these synergies to become the
primary conduit for the generation and distribution of personalized genetic information.
The Opportunity
In order to develop novel treatments and medicines for human disease, efforts began about 15 years ago to map and sequence the entire
human genome. Several billion dollars has been spent to produce a public database of human genetic information which will be 90%
complete by March 2000. This massive project and other privately funded projects which focus on expressed genes, enables the study of
human genetic variation because it allows for the identification of SNPs between different donors.
Two things are happening here for the first time in human history.
1.Science is learning the precise chromosomal positions where individual human beings differ from one another.(ie. SNP
discovery)
2.High-throughput SNP analysis technology is now available and enables unprecedented screening of huge numbers of SNPs
against various afflictions and phenotypes.
From Schilling et al., Biotechnol. Prog. 1999, 15, 298-295: "(With the close of the human genome project), DNA sequence data now
need to be translated into functional information, both in terms of the biochemical function of individual genes, as well as their
systematic role in the operation of multigenic functions."
Advancement in our understanding of human genetic variation and the development of new technologies by which to analyze this
information brings us to the cusp of making Personalized Medicine a reality. The mining of genome information for phenomics value
can be likened to a "gold rush". Our proprietary technologies and approaches, combined with newly created "picks" and "shovels", render
us well poised to stake our share in this rush. |
