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Hitachi High Technologies America, ZS Genetics to Develop EM-Based Sequencing Platform

NEW YORK (GenomeWeb) – ZS Genetics and Hitachi High Technologies America are collaborating to develop and commercialize ZS Genetics' DNA sequencing platform, the companies said today.

ZS Genetics has been working on an electron microscopy-based method to sequence long stretches of DNA that relies on labeling DNA bases with heavy atoms. Under the terms of the strategic collaboration, the companies will combine ZS Genetics' proprietary technologies with HTA's experience in high-resolution EM.

Later this year, ZS Genetics plans to start working with select customers and supply chain partners to develop products and applications at its facility in Wakefield, Massachusetts.

"The technical capabilities of our two companies are expected to produce a DNA sequencing platform capable of enabling unique scientific discovery, as well as offering a powerful tool to complement and broaden current short-read sequencing technologies," said ZS Genetics CEO John McCarthy Jr. in a statement.

The firms did not disclose any additional details or terms about their strategic product development partnership.

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