Attention Business Editors:
The John P. Robarts Research Institute and Virtek Vision International form Collaborative Research Partnership
- Virtek will support research initiatives with recently launched
Chipreader(TM) Product -
Toronto Stock Exchange Symbol: VRK
LONDON, ON, Feb. 15 /CNW/ - TSE - VRK - As one of Canada's leading
biomedical research institutions, The John P. Robarts Research Institute is
proud to announce the addition of a DNA chip reader to its infrastructure in
London, Ontario. This technology is brought to the scientists and their
laboratories at Robarts through collaboration with Virtek Vision, a
Waterloo-based company specialized in precision laser technology.
"We see this collaboration as a win-win relationship for both Robarts and
Virtek since this pioneering technology can be materially enhanced through
active interaction with our scientists and their laboratories," says Michael
Crowley, Vice President Business Development at Robarts.
"The use of DNA chips is an exploding technology that is still in its
infancy. Virtek has demonstrated a thorough understanding of the current
technology, and working with the researchers at Robarts will help both
organizations stay on the leading edge of this important area," adds Jim
Crocker, Virtek's President and CEO.
The DNA chip is a recent innovation that provides unprecedented speed and
versatility to biomedical researchers. Essentially, the DNA chip is a small
fiber-glass surface that is mounted with thousands of known short gene strands
that may be of interest within a particular human disease condition. Once
constructed, the chip is placed in contact with clinical or laboratory test
DNA samples isolated from living cells to identify which genes are expressed
or "suppressed" during a disease process. Currently, the DNA chip technology
is used mostly as a tool within research laboratories to identify patterns of
gene expression within various cell types and diseased tissues of the human
body. Within the laboratory, this technology dramatically accelerates gene
analysis and provides considerable savings over conventional laboratory
techniques. With further development in the upcoming years, it is anticipated
that the DNA chip technology will advance into the clinic as a diagnostic tool
to identify and monitor genetic diseases within human individuals.
With its ChipReader(TM), Virtek will support initiatives of scientists
and research laboratories at Robarts who are involved in understanding various
human diseases. The ChipReader is a DNA chip scanner developed by Virtek as a
turn-key (user friendly) solution to DNA chip analysis. This product is based
upon Virtek's core competency in precision laser technology and provides a
one-step, convenient method of scanning DNA chips. ChipReader is the smallest,
most sensitive instrument on the market today. As part of this collaboration,
scientists at Robarts will form a center of excellence for microchip
technology and provide Virtek with user-based input for future developments of
the technology.
The introduction of DNA chip technology provides yet another boost to
Robarts' scientists in the discovery and understanding of major human
diseases. As a result of this collaboration, Robarts scientists will undertake
projects to identify the genetic factors associated with heart disease,
neurodegenerative disorders (such as Alzheimer's, Lou Gehrig's Disease and
Spinal Cord Injuries) and autoimmune syndromes (such as Type I Diabetes,
Multiple Sclerosis and Transplant Rejection). DNA chip technology will help
basic medical researchers reveal the underlying biological processes involved
in these diseases and may provide insights for new methods of prevention and
treatment.
The John P. Robarts Research Institute, officially opened in 1986, is
Canada's only privately operated and directed medical research facility. The
Institute is comprised of some 405 highly qualified individuals, including 45
basic research and clinician scientists. Research is focused in the following
eight areas: Advanced Imaging; Autoimmunity/Diabetes; Clinical Pharmacology;
Clinical Trials; Gene Therapy and Molecular Virology; Heart and Circulation;
Stroke and Neurodegenerative Diseases; and Transplantation and Immunobiology.
In addition to Robarts track record in medical discovery, the Institute has
succeeded in spinning off some of its newly discovered technologies into
private companies that are creating high tech jobs and wealth. . Robarts is
affiliated with The University of Western Ontario and London Health Sciences
Centre.
Virtek Vision, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Virtek Vision Corp.
in Canada and Virtek Vision Inc. in the United States, is a world leading
supplier of precision laser systems designed to increase throughput, enhance
quality and reduce costs. Virtek is based in Waterloo, Canada with offices
near Boston, London, England and Brussels, Belgium. Virtek is traded on the
Toronto Stock Exchange, under the symbol VRK.
%SEDAR: 00006230E
-0- 02/15/2000
For further information: Jay Hussey, Investor Relations, Virtek Vision Institute, (416) 815-0700, ext. 225, (416) 815-0080 fax, jhussey@equicomgroup.com; Irene Posliff, Communications Officer, The John P. Robarts Research, (519) 663-5777, ext. 1-34409, (519) 663-3789 fax, iposliff@rri.on.ca; To request a free copy of this organization's annual report, please go to www.newswire.ca and click on reports@cnw.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Worried about your RSP? Not getting the service you
deserve? Come to Royal Bank Action Direct, and take
control of your investments! Open an account today and
you will receive $100 in FREE TRADES*. PLUS, we will
also provide you with our "Principles of Equity Investing"
to help guide you through the markets. Visit us today at:
actiondirect.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Release sent courtesy of Canada NewsWire Portfolio Email.
To update your email portfolio, point your web browser here:
portfolio.newswire.ca
Please address any questions about your portfolio to cnw@newswire.ca
Visit newswire.ca to view CNW's unique, new Canadian
Earnings information centre - the place to find comprehensive, up-to-date,
earnings information and history for Canadian public companies. Tap the
power of our website to access the most recent and complete earnings
information available in Canada. Or get more company information by
planning to attend one of the growing number of online earnings
conference calls by visiting our site to learn the time, date and url
for the call.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
