Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Biotech / Medical : Helicos -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Steve Lokness who wrote (11)	1/9/2008 6:12:33 PM
From: Steve Lokness	Respond to of 29

HLCS news; biz.yahoo.com Helicos BioSciences Announces MicroRNA Collaboration with miRNA Expert Wednesday January 9, 7:00 am ET Partnership with Dr. Victor Ambros to Expand Genomic Discoveries CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Helicos BioSciences (Nasdaq:HLCS - News), a life science company focused on innovative genetic analysis technologies, announced today a formal collaboration with Dr. Victor Ambros to apply the quantitative power of True Single Molecule Sequencing (tSMSTM) to develop a single assay to characterize known species of microRNA (miRNA) as well as discover new non-coding RNAs. ADVERTISEMENT Dr. Victor Ambros, an elected member of the National Academy of Sciences and a recent addition to the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Program of Molecular Medicine, discovered the existence of miRNA’s by finding the Lin-4, a miRNA found during a study of developmental timing in roundworm, Caenorhabditis elegans. Dr. Ambros continues his research on microRNA function and gene regulation during development, focusing on understanding the genetic and molecular mechanisms that control cell division, differentiation and morphogenesis in animals. “I am delighted to be working with Helicos on a collaboration in which the depth of the data obtained has the potential to elucidate the role of miRNA on disease in a manner that has never before been possible,” said Dr. Ambros. MiRNAs are single-stranded RNA molecules that play a critical role in gene regulation. They are typically no more than 22 nucleotides in length but have been shown to influence genes and protein production throughout the body. Scientific publications on the influence of miRNAs on diseases, such as cancer and heart disease, have been increasing dramatically over the last year. “The field of miRNA research continues to reveal new insight into biological questions important to our fundamental understanding of disease,” said Dr. Patrice Milos, Helicos BioSciences Chief Scientific Officer. “We hope to simplify the methods for miRNA analysis to allow deep insight into the miRNA species present in human cells and tissues. This may facilitate more quantitative analysis of important biological samples as well as probe deeply to reveal previously undiscovered miRNAs. ” steve