NEW YORK (GenomeWeb News) – Sigma-Aldrich today said that its Sigma Life Science business will collaborate with Cofactor Genomics to develop a rat genome database.
The firm said that its SAGE Labs initiative will work with St. Louis-based Cofactor to sequence the genomes of six of the most widely used strains of rats. Cofactor intends to generate and analyze the sequence data using next-generation sequencing systems, while SAGE plans to provide the samples as well as host a new, free public database that will include exclusive genomic information and analysis tools.
According to Sigma, the Brown Norway is the only rat strain that has a high-quality draft sequence available. It added that the partners believe that their collaboration will "create improved models of human disease for the research community, while helping researchers to better pinpoint the crucial areas of biological difference between rats and humans."
Further terms of the alliance were not disclosed.