Celera Adds geneformatics’ database to cds offerings
In a boost to its proteomics offerings, Celera Genomics has agreed to serve as the Internet distributor of GeneFormatics'''' database of predicted protein functions, and will integrate the database into its Celera Discovery System (CDS), the companies said last week.
To access GeneFormatics’ database, current CDS subscribers will have to enter into an additional subscription, said Tony Kerlavage, senior director of product strategy at Celera.
The deal marks the second third-party proteomics offering through CDS for Celera, of Rockville, Md., which earlier this month announced it would begin offering ModBase, a database of computationally modeled structures for domains in over 310,000 proteins licensed by Structural Genomix, of San Diego.
Prolinx Releases First Version of Protein Microarray
Prolinx of Bothell, Wash., has launched its Versalinx open-platform protein microarray product line, the company said last week.
The Versalinx technology uses a synthetic chemical affinity surface chemistry based on reversible complexation of phenyl(di)boronic acid with salicylhydroxamic acid. In addition to glass substrates, the protein microarray system includes buffer and wash solutions, and conjugation reagents.
In August, Prolinx hired Robert Kaiser as chief technology officer to lead the company’s development of microarray and other proteomics technologies. The Versalinx technology is the company’s first proteomics product.
Beyond Genomics Licenses IMMS Mass Spec Technology
Beyond Genomics said last week that it had exclusively licensed Ion Mobility Mass Spectrometry (IMMS) technology from Indiana University for analyzing and identifying peptide fragments.
Developed by David Clemmer, an analytical chemist at the university and a founding scientific advisor of Beyond Genomics, IMMS allows researchers to separate and identify peptide fragments with the same mass-to-charge ratio but differing structural conformations, Beyond Genomics President Stephen Ober said.
Based in Waltham, Mass., Beyond Genomics has fashioned itself as a systems biology company by integrating protein, genetic, and metabolite data to model cellular function as it relates to disease.
Europroteome Purchases Ciphergen’s Biochip System
Europroteome said last week it had purchased Ciphergen’s Biomarker Discovery system to complement its 2D gel electrophoresis and gene expression technologies for identifying proteins associated with epithelial cancer.
The Hennigsdorf, Germany-based company will use Ciphergen’s system to search for novel protein markers and targets in tissue taken from colon and other epithelial cancers. Ciphergen’s system consists of several standard and customizable protein affinity chips and an automated SELDI-TOF mass spectrometry analysis system.
In September, Europroteome raised 9.5 million ($8.6 million) in a second round of venture capital financing led by Earlybird Venture Capital and Heidelberg Innovation.