Affymetrix Launches ENCODE Array to Uncover Hidden Function of Human Genome
October 22 2004 - 12:56PM
PR Newswire (US)
Affymetrix Launches ENCODE Array to Uncover Hidden Function of
Human Genome SANTA CLARA, Calif., Oct. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
Today, Affymetrix, Inc., (NASDAQ:AFFX) announced early technology
access to the GeneChip(R) microarray used in the NHGRI-funded
ENCODE (ENCyclopedia of Complete DNA Elements) initiative -- the
next step of the Human Genome Project. The ENCODE project comprises
over two dozen international research institutions, many of which
are using this array to discover the function for a representative
1% of the human genome specified by the ENCODE project. (For an
interactive version of this press release with additional
information, please go to http://www.affymetrix.com/pr and click on
the release title.) While the complete human genome sequence is now
available, nearly all of it (about 98%) has been considered "junk"
and its function not studied because there has been no technology
available to examine millions or even billions of bases of DNA. The
ENCODE project, as outlined in today's issue of Science, has
brought together an impressive collection of international
laboratories to evaluate strategies and new technologies to tackle
what may be the biggest biological question ever asked. Affymetrix'
ENCODE microarray is playing a key role in helping to answer this
important question. The ENCODE array contains millions of DNA
probes evenly spaced or "tiled" across 35 million base pairs of DNA
that was specifically chosen by the ENCODE project as a
representative sampling of the complete genome sequence. In an
industry first, these "tiling" arrays provide scientists with the
only single tool available for genome-wide analyses of many
important biological functions, including: transcription,
transcription factor binding sites, sites of chromatin
modification, sites of DNA methylation and even chromosomal origins
of replication. "In the process of climbing the steps of whole
genome research, the ENCODE array is a wonderful tool," said
Katsuhiko Shirahige, Ph.D., Division for Gene Research, Tokyo
Institute of Technology. "The design content is extremely easy to
use for basic research areas such as human transcription,
replication and chromatin structure, to name a few." In addition to
Affymetrix arrays being used in large-scale initiatives like the
ENCODE project, Affymetrix has established an Early Access program
that gives individual researchers the opportunity to purchase
tiling arrays for human chromosomes 21 and 22. Affymetrix has also
developed high- resolution tiling arrays for the entire human
genome and several model organisms, including Drosophila,
Arabidopsis, S. cerevisiae and S. pombe. These arrays have been
made available to several research groups through a technology
access program or through collaborative projects with Affymetrix. A
full range of tiling arrays are expected to be commercially
available in the second half of 2005. A number of early studies
using Affymetrix tiling arrays have already resulted in
publication: -- In 2002, Affymetrix scientists used Human
Chromosome 21 and 22 tiling arrays, and found that there is an
order of magnitude more transcription -- the conversion of DNA into
RNA -- than accounted for by current annotations. -- In 2003,
Japanese researchers used custom S. cerevisiae tiling arrays to
discover new parts of the yeast genome that are involved in DNA
replication, a fundamental biological process critical to all walks
of life. -- Also, in 2003, an international research team studying
the plant, Arabidopsis thaliana, used custom Arabidopsis
whole-genome tiling arrays to discover nearly 6,000 new genes that
had never been seen before. -- In 2004, Affymetrix scientists again
used Human Chromosome 21 and 22 tiling arrays to prove that the
millions of newly discovered RNA molecules are turned on and off by
the same regulators used by protein coding genes. -- Also, in 2004,
British and Japanese scientists used custom S. cerevisiae and S.
pombeyeast tiling arrays to link DNA replication with
transcription, two events that were previously thought to be
separate processes. The results from these papers are changing the
way that we understand the genome. For the past 50 years, research
has focused almost exclusively on protein coding genes. Using
tiling arrays, scientists are beginning to understand the genome is
far more complex than that. "Piece by piece, we are beginning to
create a high-resolution map of the human transcriptome, providing
detailed information well beyond its basic sequence," said Thomas
Gingeras, Ph.D., Vice President of Biological Sciences, Affymetrix
Laboratories. "The hope is that one day, scientists can more
readily understand the biology of health and disease by correlating
sequence of DNA from anywhere in the genome to its function." About
Affymetrix: Affymetrix is a pioneer in creating breakthrough tools
that are driving the genomic revolution. By applying the principles
of semiconductor technology to the life sciences, Affymetrix
develops and commercializes systems that enable scientists to
improve quality of life. The Company's customers include
pharmaceutical, biotechnology, agrichemical, diagnostics and
consumer products companies as well as academic, government and
other non-profit research institutes. Affymetrix offers an
expanding portfolio of integrated products and services, including
its integrated GeneChip brand platform, to address growing markets
focused on understanding the relationship between genes and human
health. Additional information on Affymetrix can be found at
http://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 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
(including uncertainties relating to the success of the ENCODE
array discussed in this press release), market acceptance,
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 for the year ended December
31, 2003 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. DATASOURCE:
Affymetrix, Inc. CONTACT: Media: Wes Conard, Associate Director,
Public Relations, +1-408-731-5791, or Investors: Doug Farrell, Vice
President, Investor Relations, +1-408-731-5285, both of Affymetrix
Web site: http://www.affymetrix.com/
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