Thursday April 6, 7:32 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
Celera Genomics Completes Sequencing Phase of the Genome From One Human
Being
Company Begins Sequencing Mouse Genome
ROCKVILLE, Md.--(BW HealthWire)--April 6, 2000--Celera Genomics (NYSE:CRA - news), a PE Corporation business, announced today that it has
completed the sequencing phase of one person's genome and will now begin to assemble the sequenced fragments of the genome into their proper order based
on new computational advances. Celera began to sequence the human genome seven months ago in September 1999. In addition to assembly, the company will
now focus on annotating the sequence information and collecting additional data on genetic variations.
Celera's whole genome shotgun sequencing technique involves sequencing from both ends of the double stranded cloned DNA. Celera's accurately paired
clone end sequences are a key tool for assembling the genome much more completely than single stranded sequencing methods allow at comparable levels of
sequence coverage. Celera's paired end-sequencing strategy, as part of the whole genome shotgun sequencing technique, has now produced sequence pairs
from clones that cover the human genome 11 times. The company believes that 99% of the human genome is represented in the cloned DNA.
Celera's whole genome sequencing strategy has been validated by the recent publication of the Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly) genome, the largest genome
to be sequenced and assembled to date. Drosophila is a very important model for human biology and medicine. After assembly and annotation, the
non-repetitive regions of the Drosophila genome have greater than 99.99% sequence accuracy.
Celera has finished the human genome sequencing phase and has started the assembly of the genome, but the company will continue to perform human
sequencing for SNP (single nucleotide polymorphisms) diversity and for gap closure. The SNPs are single letter variations between people that determine
susceptibility to disease and the ability to combat illness. A significant feature of Celera's approach to sequencing the human genome is the use of genetic
material from both men and women of various ethnic backgrounds. When Celera completes human SNP sequencing over the next few months, its genomic
database will consist of data from six men and women of varying self-identified ethnic backgrounds. This approach should allow Celera to develop a
database for studying the genetic variations between individuals at the same time the genome is being deciphered.
``Now that we have completed the sequencing of one human being's genome we will turn our computational power to the task of ordering the human genome,'
said J. Craig Venter, Ph.D., Celera's president and chief scientific officer. ``We intend to complete and publish the human data in a form that is consistent with
the high-quality Drosophila genome that Celera achieved in collaboration with the Berkeley Drosophila Genome Project. This is expected to allow
researchers worldwide and our subscribers to utilize our data to make important medical advances.'
Celera Starts Mouse Genome Project
Celera has now begun the mouse genome project, which is of critical importance to biomedical researchers using the mouse as a model for studies of human
biology and medicine. A key feature of Celera's business model will be the ability to compare genomes from various organisms (comparative genomics). The
comparison of the mouse, Drosophila, and human genomes is expected to open many new avenues of research into the mechanisms of gene conservation and
regulation, which could lead to a better understanding of gene function and disease.
Celera Milestones
Human Genome:
On January 10, 2000, Celera announced it had compiled data covering 90% of the human genome. With the announcement today, Celera is on target to
complete the assembly and annotation of the human genome later this year.
Drosophila melanogaster Genome:
On December 30, 1999, Celera completed the release of the Drosophila genome sequence to the public data bank. After doing extensive scientific analysis in
conjunction with the Berkeley Drosophila Genome Project (BDGP) and other collaborators, Celera and the public collaborators published the manuscripts in
the scientific journal Science on March 24, 2000. Celera and its collaborators have identified nearly 14,000 genes in the genome, many in commercially
important protein families, which should prove valuable in developing new therapeutics and insecticides. Drosophila is the largest genome sequenced to date,
and is the first insect and the first organism with a central nervous system to be sequenced.
PE Corporation currently comprises two operating groups. Celera Genomics Group, headquartered in Rockville, MD, intends to become the definitive source
of genomic and related medical information. PE Biosystems Group (NYSE: PEB - news), headquartered in Foster City, CA and with sales of $1.2 billion
during fiscal 1999, develops and markets instrument-based systems, reagents, software, and contract related services to the life science industry and research
community. Information about the company, including consolidated financial statements of PE Corporation, is available on the World Wide Web at
pecorporation.com or by phoning (800) 762-6923.
MEDIA ADVISORY
WHAT: J. Craig Venter, Ph.D., Celera's president and chief scientific
officer, will offer testimony before the U.S. House of
Representatives Subcommittee on Energy and Environment's
Committee on Science on the Human Genome Project. The hearing can
be viewed via the Internet at www.house.gov/science
Dr. Venter's testimony will include information on Celera's
progress in sequencing the human genome and outline in detail the
company's business model.
WHEN: Thursday, April 6, 2000
10:00 a.m.
WHERE: 2318 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC
Contact:
Celera Genomics, Rockville, Md.
Heather Kowalski, 240/453-3343 (Media)
or
Charles Poole, 203/761-5400 (Investors) |
