2010 Young Investigator

2010 Young Investigator

As part of the National Institutes of Health's Undiagnosed Diseases Program, researchers had sequenced about 50 exomes from 11 patients and their family members as of last month, as well as full genomes of three individuals. They have so far found disease-causing variants in two patients, and variants likely to be causative in another two.

Recently, In Sequence spoke with Syngenta's head of Omics Application and Research about how the ag-bio giant is making use of sequencing technology, the types of projects it is doing, and how the technology is advancing plant genomics.

Companies developing DNA sequencing and related technologies, as well as firms working on sequencing-based genetic tests, were among almost 3,000 small biotechs who received a total of $1 billion in grants and tax credits under the QTDP program.

With a cash position of $1.9 million as of Nov. 10, Helicos has reduced its headcount and has dropped plans to develop its own CLIA-certified genetic testing lab.

The RFP is "targeting large-scale sequencing centers or a consortium of academic and/or commercial centers that are believed to have the expertise and capacity to participate in a project of this scale."

The new lab will be equipped with Applied Biosystems 3730xl capillary electrophoresis sequencers and will offer "NightXpress" sequencing services for single samples with a turnaround time of 12 to 16 hours.

Sequencing-Related Papers of Note of the Last Two Weeks

Vivian Cheung

Life Technologies' Qubit 2.0 Fluorometer, Amresco's Ready PCR Mix, 2X

The assets being acquired include 11 Familion tests as well as contracts with private and government health insurers for test reimbursement through policies offering access to genetic testing for an estimated 280 million patients.

The Aptima HPV assay is the last of five diagnostic products filed by Gen-Probe with the US Food and Drug Administration this year.

The partners will develop pharmacogenomic assays based on Mass General's genotyping platform.

The firm's net loss for the quarter was virtually flat year over year, amid a restructuring announced last month. Rosetta also said it expects to receive a notification from Nasdaq that it is not in compliance with a rule governing stockholders' equity.

The Vancouver Prostate Centre will use funding from Genome BC to conduct computational chemogenomic screening of compounds in a search for new prostate cancer treatments.

Microbiologist Frank Fenner studied smallpox, myxomatosis, and more.

New immigration regulations in the UK set off worries that scientists won't come to Britain.

A new university in Singapore uses experts from MIT and China to teach the latest in technology design and engineering.

In PLoS this week: viral elements in animal genomes, cellular strategies of Methylobacterium extorquens, PCNA-partner interactions in DNA replication and repair, and more.

Shinya Yamanaka speaks with the Los Angeles Times about his work.

Researchers have found a way to "trick" cells into becoming different kinds of tissue.

The company launched its Argus LS system for simpler organisms earlier this year and is now looking at a Q3 2011 launch of its system for larger genomes, including plants, humans, and other animals.

The institute expects to grant up to $3 million to create a multidisciplinary Epilepsy Center without Walls by funding linked research and providing centralized administrative support.

Takara has licensed non-exclusive rights to the technology for the research market.