Affymetrix 500K Array Used to Identify Memory Gene
October 19 2006 - 2:32PM
Business Wire
Affymetrix Inc. (Nasdaq:AFFX) announced today that researchers at
the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) in Phoenix,
Arizona have used the Affymetrix 500K Array to discover a gene �
called Kibra � associated with memory performance in humans. The
team�s findings may be used to develop new medicines for
memory-based diseases such as Alzheimer�s and Parkinson�s by
providing scientists with a better understanding of how memory
works at the molecular level. The study entitled, �Common KIBRA
alleles are associated with human memory performance,� will be
published in the Oct. 20, 2006 issue of Science. The research team
was led by Dietrich Stephan, Ph.D., director of TGen's
Neurogenomics Division. It included colleagues at the University of
Zurich in Switzerland, Banner Alzheimer�s Institute and Mayo Clinic
Scottsdale. �Using the latest Affymetrix 500K Array, we have shed
light on the fundamental biological process of human memory
performance,� said Dr. Stephan. �We can use this new understanding
to develop drugs that will improve memory function.� Until now,
researchers did not have access to the high-density technology
needed to examine the genetic components associated with memory
performance. The team at TGen used Affymetrix Human Mapping 500K
Arrays to analyze 500,000 DNA markers simultaneously, providing a
genetic blueprint for the memory-study participants. The
researchers discovered the Kibra gene by comparing the genetic
blueprints of people with good memory vs. poor memory and looking
for the genetic variations consistently present in one group, but
not the other. They then validated their discovery by replicating
the Kibra gene finding in two separate and distinct groups of
subjects. �This memory study is a perfect example of how the use of
advanced technologies in human genetics yields fundamental
discoveries,� said Stephen P.A. Fodor, Ph.D., chairman and CEO at
Affymetrix. To learn more about this breakthrough: Register for the
upcoming Affymetrix Microarray Bulletin (AMB) teleconference/online
symposium with Dr. Stephan on November 1, by visiting:
http://www.microarraybulletin.com/memory_symposium Watch a full AMB
interview featuring Dr. Stephan at
http://www.microarraybulletin.com/memory Read an AMB interview with
co-authors Dr. Stephan and Dr. David Craig, associate investigator
and faculty member within the TGen Neurogenomics Program, at
http://www.microarraybulletin.com/memory View the AMB graphic
workflow (poster print-out) of the memory study at
http://www.microarraybulletin.com/memory About Translational
Genomics Research Institute The Translational Genomics Research
Institute (TGen), a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, is focused
on developing earlier diagnostics and smarter treatments.
Translational genomics research is a relatively new field employing
innovative advances arising from the Human Genome Project and
applying them to the development of diagnostics, prognostics and
therapies for cancer, neurological disorders, diabetes and other
complex diseases. TGen's research is based on personalized medicine
and the institute plans to accomplish its goals through robust and
disease-focused research. About Affymetrix Affymetrix scientists
invented the world's first high-density microarray in 1989 and
began selling the first commercial microarray in 1994. Since then,
Affymetrix GeneChip� technology has become the industry standard in
molecular biology research. Affymetrix technology is used by the
world's top pharmaceutical, diagnostic and biotechnology companies
as well as leading academic, government and not-for-profit research
institutes. More than 1,400 systems have been installed around the
world and more than 7,000 peer-reviewed papers have been published
using the technology. Affymetrix' patented photolithographic
manufacturing process provides the most information capacity
available today on an array, enabling researchers to use a
whole-genome approach to analyzing the relationship between
genetics and health. Affymetrix is headquartered in Santa Clara,
Calif., with manufacturing facilities in Sacramento, Calif., and
Bedford, Mass. The company maintains important sales and marketing
operations in Europe and Asia, and has about 1,100 employees
worldwide. For more information about Affymetrix, please visit the
company's website at www.affymetrix.com. All statements in this
press release that are not historical are "forward-looking
statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act as amended, including statements regarding Affymetrix'
"expectations," "beliefs," "hopes," "intentions," "strategies," or
the like. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties
that could cause actual results to differ materially for Affymetrix
from those projected, including, but not limited to: risks and
uncertainties associated with the use of the Affymetrix 500K Array
discussed in this press release; risks of the Company's ability to
achieve and sustain higher levels of revenue, higher gross margins,
reduced operating expenses; uncertainties relating to technological
approaches, manufacturing, product development; personnel
retention; uncertainties related to cost and pricing of Affymetrix
products; dependence on collaborative partners; uncertainties
relating to sole source suppliers; uncertainties relating to FDA
and other regulatory approvals; competition; risks relating to
intellectual property of others and the uncertainties of patent
protection and litigation. These and other risk factors are
discussed in Affymetrix' Form 10-K/A for the year ended December
31, 2005, and other SEC reports, including its Quarterly Reports on
Form 10-Q for subsequent quarterly periods. Affymetrix expressly
disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any
updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained
herein to reflect any change in Affymetrix' expectations with
regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances
on which any such statements are based. NOTE: Affymetrix, the
Affymetrix logo and GeneChip are registered trademarks owned or
used by Affymetrix Inc. Affymetrix Inc. (Nasdaq:AFFX) announced
today that researchers at the Translational Genomics Research
Institute (TGen) in Phoenix, Arizona have used the Affymetrix 500K
Array to discover a gene -- called Kibra -- associated with memory
performance in humans. The team's findings may be used to develop
new medicines for memory-based diseases such as Alzheimer's and
Parkinson's by providing scientists with a better understanding of
how memory works at the molecular level. The study entitled,
"Common KIBRA alleles are associated with human memory
performance," will be published in the Oct. 20, 2006 issue of
Science. The research team was led by Dietrich Stephan, Ph.D.,
director of TGen's Neurogenomics Division. It included colleagues
at the University of Zurich in Switzerland, Banner Alzheimer's
Institute and Mayo Clinic Scottsdale. "Using the latest Affymetrix
500K Array, we have shed light on the fundamental biological
process of human memory performance," said Dr. Stephan. "We can use
this new understanding to develop drugs that will improve memory
function." Until now, researchers did not have access to the
high-density technology needed to examine the genetic components
associated with memory performance. The team at TGen used
Affymetrix Human Mapping 500K Arrays to analyze 500,000 DNA markers
simultaneously, providing a genetic blueprint for the memory-study
participants. The researchers discovered the Kibra gene by
comparing the genetic blueprints of people with good memory vs.
poor memory and looking for the genetic variations consistently
present in one group, but not the other. They then validated their
discovery by replicating the Kibra gene finding in two separate and
distinct groups of subjects. "This memory study is a perfect
example of how the use of advanced technologies in human genetics
yields fundamental discoveries," said Stephen P.A. Fodor, Ph.D.,
chairman and CEO at Affymetrix. To learn more about this
breakthrough: -- Register for the upcoming Affymetrix Microarray
Bulletin (AMB) teleconference/online symposium with Dr. Stephan on
November 1, by visiting:
http://www.microarraybulletin.com/memory_symposium -- Watch a full
AMB interview featuring Dr. Stephan at
http://www.microarraybulletin.com/memory -- Read an AMB interview
with co-authors Dr. Stephan and Dr. David Craig, associate
investigator and faculty member within the TGen Neurogenomics
Program, at http://www.microarraybulletin.com/memory -- View the
AMB graphic workflow (poster print-out) of the memory study at
http://www.microarraybulletin.com/memory About Translational
Genomics Research Institute The Translational Genomics Research
Institute (TGen), a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, is focused
on developing earlier diagnostics and smarter treatments.
Translational genomics research is a relatively new field employing
innovative advances arising from the Human Genome Project and
applying them to the development of diagnostics, prognostics and
therapies for cancer, neurological disorders, diabetes and other
complex diseases. TGen's research is based on personalized medicine
and the institute plans to accomplish its goals through robust and
disease-focused research. About Affymetrix Affymetrix scientists
invented the world's first high-density microarray in 1989 and
began selling the first commercial microarray in 1994. Since then,
Affymetrix GeneChip(R) technology has become the industry standard
in molecular biology research. Affymetrix technology is used by the
world's top pharmaceutical, diagnostic and biotechnology companies
as well as leading academic, government and not-for-profit research
institutes. More than 1,400 systems have been installed around the
world and more than 7,000 peer-reviewed papers have been published
using the technology. Affymetrix' patented photolithographic
manufacturing process provides the most information capacity
available today on an array, enabling researchers to use a
whole-genome approach to analyzing the relationship between
genetics and health. Affymetrix is headquartered in Santa Clara,
Calif., with manufacturing facilities in Sacramento, Calif., and
Bedford, Mass. The company maintains important sales and marketing
operations in Europe and Asia, and has about 1,100 employees
worldwide. For more information about Affymetrix, please visit the
company's website at www.affymetrix.com. All statements in this
press release that are not historical are "forward-looking
statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act as amended, including statements regarding Affymetrix'
"expectations," "beliefs," "hopes," "intentions," "strategies," or
the like. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties
that could cause actual results to differ materially for Affymetrix
from those projected, including, but not limited to: risks and
uncertainties associated with the use of the Affymetrix 500K Array
discussed in this press release; risks of the Company's ability to
achieve and sustain higher levels of revenue, higher gross margins,
reduced operating expenses; uncertainties relating to technological
approaches, manufacturing, product development; personnel
retention; uncertainties related to cost and pricing of Affymetrix
products; dependence on collaborative partners; uncertainties
relating to sole source suppliers; uncertainties relating to FDA
and other regulatory approvals; competition; risks relating to
intellectual property of others and the uncertainties of patent
protection and litigation. These and other risk factors are
discussed in Affymetrix' Form 10-K/A for the year ended December
31, 2005, and other SEC reports, including its Quarterly Reports on
Form 10-Q for subsequent quarterly periods. Affymetrix expressly
disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any
updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained
herein to reflect any change in Affymetrix' expectations with
regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances
on which any such statements are based. NOTE: Affymetrix, the
Affymetrix logo and GeneChip are registered trademarks owned or
used by Affymetrix Inc.
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