The Human Proteome Organization (HUPO), with members from academic and commercial sectors, formed to serve as a global advisory council to encourage international cooperation in the study of the proteome.
Pyrosequencing signed the first customer for its high-throughput sequencing program, based on 384-well microplates. Wallenberg Consortium North, the Swedish consortium for functional genomics, will use the technology to study up to 100,000 SNPs per day, according to Pyrosequencing. Financial details were not disclosed.
Compaq introduced a 64-bit, 833MHz Alpha microprocessor, billed as “the industry’s most powerful microprocessor.” The company’s recent collaboration with Celera and Sandia National Labs to build a 100-teraflop supercomputer will incorporate this technology.
Hoping to find proteins where none have been seen before, Incyte and Genicon joined forces to develop tools to measure the smallest levels of proteins in samples. Incyte will help develop and market antibody arrays using Genicon’s resonance light scattering protein detection technology.
Orchid and AstraZeneca joined in a three-year, multimillion dollar genotyping collaboration to identify SNPs primarily associated with oncology, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal diseases.
PharmaSeq, a company developing microchips for use in drug discovery, gene diagnostics, and proteomics, received a multimillion dollar equity investment from corporate giant Mitsui, which manufactures and sells fine chemicals and life science products.
Advances in 2D: Compugen and Scimagix both recently announced new protein-analysis software designed to make 2D gel studies faster and more accurate. Compugen’s product is Z3, and Scimagix markets its application as ProteinMine. Rumor has it that results are even more interesting for users wearing 3D glasses.
Cambridge Healthtech Institute and the University of Iowa College of Medicine will jointly sponsor genomics educational classes for practicing doctors. The pilot program is being developed and underwritten by CHI, AmeriPath, and Genomics Collaborative. “Everyone in the genomics field has recognized the need for educational programs to help primary care physicians understand how the new genetics will transform diagnosis, treatment, and classification of common diseases,” says Phillips Kuhl, CHI president. The three two-day sessions will take place in Alexandria, Va., Chicago, and San Diego. Details are available at www.genomics101md.com.
Stratagene launched the first instrument system designed specifically for multiplexed quantitative PCR applications. The Mx4000 supports all available dyes. At last, a break for technicians.