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(COMTEX) B: SpectruMedix Corp. Installs SCE9610 Genetic Analysis Syst
B: SpectruMedix Corp. Installs SCE9610 Genetic Analysis System at Johns Hopkins
Oncology Center Lab
STATE COLLEGE, Pa., Sep 25, 2000 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- SpectruMedix
Corporation (OTC Bulletin Board: SMDX) has installed its SCE9610 Multicapillary
Genetic Analysis System on a lease-to-buy basis at the renowned Johns Hopkins
University School of Medicine's Oncology Center research laboratory, led by
doctors Bert Vogelstein, M.D., and Kenneth Kinzler, M.D.
Dr. Vogelstein is a Professor of Oncology at Johns Hopkins University's School
of Medicine, and the lab's principal investigator. Dr. Kinzler, co- principal
investigator, is an associate professor of Oncology at the school.
SpectruMedix's SCE9610 will facilitate the lab's mutation screening -- analyzing
and studying mutations in thousands of genes using DNA samples collected from
tens of thousands of people. Locating these mutations along a strand of DNA
assists in discovering coding sequences for rare genetic diseases.
The Kinzler-Vogelstein lab is working on the detection of gene mutations and how
they manifest into various diseases. The idea is to find those mutations that
indicate a person's susceptibility to the disease before the patient exhibits
symptoms.
Detecting these mutations is an expensive and lengthy process. Mutations aren't
limited to one set spot on a gene -- they can be scattered, making it difficult
to detect these abnormalities with the current technology. Kinzler, Vogelstein
et al. argue convincingly in an article written for the current issue of
Science, that the future of genetic testing and analysis hinges on successful
mutation screening. ("Genetic Testing -- Present and Future," with Dr. Hai Tan,
Science 289, 2000.)
"This is a momentous event in the history of SpectruMedix. This is a renowned
cancer research laboratory that has chosen our instrument to facilitate its
crucial research. We are confident the SCE9610 will prove vital in the future of
genetic research," said Dr. Joseph Adlerstein, CEO of SpectruMedix.
SpectruMedix has developed a mutation screening and detection method that is
cost-effective, quicker and more sensitive than existing technology. The SCE9610
scans segments of a strand of DNA. If no existence of a mutation is detected in
a segment, it's discarded. Only the segments with detected mutations are
analyzed -- creating a more cost-effective, efficient process for Kinzler and
Vogelstein's lab, and making the SCE9610 system a perfect fit for their
research.
"In the course of its research related to cancer, the lab analyzes hundreds of
thousands of samples of DNA and our instrument provides the capacity and
rapidity the lab requires," said John Fosnacht, sales director for SpectruMedix.
"Our complete automation feature allows one person to control several
instruments at a time; SpectruMedix is greatly improving the lab's efficiency
and data volume as compared with other available systems."
SpectruMedix develops and manufactures high-speed and high-throughput DNA
sequencing and genetic analysis instrumentation for the acquisition, analysis
and management of complex genetic information and high-throughput screening,
massive parallel capillary electrophoresis systems for drug discovery. The DNA
sequencing and high-throughput screening instrumentation were developed in part
from research efforts conducted at the U.S. Department of Energy's Ames
Laboratory, which is operated by Iowa State University's Institute for Physical
Research and Technology. SpectruMedix is also involved in the development of
instrumentation and methodology to rapidly assess lung function in all pulmonary
diseases, in order to improve evaluation, diagnosis and treatment in such
patients.
Except for historical information contained herein, the statements made in this
release constitute forward-looking statements that involve certain risks and
uncertainties. Certain factors may cause actual results to differ materially
from those contained in the forward-looking statements, including the ability of
SpectruMedix to commercialize and market its instrumentation, the availability
of funding to realize SpectruMedix's plans and other risks detailed from time to
time in SpectruMedix's reports on file at the Securities and Exchange
Commission, including SpectruMedix's Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended March
31, 2000. SpectruMedix disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise
any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future
events or otherwise.
SOURCE SpectruMedix Corporation
CONTACT: Joseph Adlerstein of SpectruMedix, 814-867-8600
URL: spectrumedix.com
prnewswire.com
(C) 2000 PR Newswire. All rights reserved.
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KEYWORD: Pennsylvania
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: HEA
SUBJECT CODE: PDT
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