NEW YORK (GenomeWeb News) – Irish genetic analysis tools firm GenCell Biosystems announced today that it has raised $3.5 million in seed funding from an international syndicate of investors.
The firm has developed a prototype of its Composite Liquid Cell diagnostic system, which uses microfluidic processes and special light wavelengths to analyze DNA profiles and predict future growth outcomes in individual cells. It added that the system enables users to "massively increase the quantity and speed of data processed in the genetic DNA analysis of biological samples at an unprecedented rate."
"Our technology represents a unique and significant step forward and it will form an important new resource for the molecular biology industry," GenCell Founder and CEO Kieran Curran said in a statement.
GenCell is targeting 2014 for full commercial production of its system.
The Limerick, Ireland-based firm currently employs 29 people and said that the funding would enable it to expand its international operations. It plans to hire an additional 20 employees and establish operations in the US this year.