OpGen Announces Launch of Genome-Builder, a Breakthrough Advance for Sequence Assembly and Structure Variation Analysis in Large Genomes
Supporting Data Presented at ASHG Annual Meeting Highlights New Argus Whole Genome Mapping Software Module and Faster, More Accurate Project Completion Capabilities
Media Contact:
Dan Budwick
Pure Communications, Inc.
(973) 271-6085
dan@purecommunicationsinc.com
OpGen Contact:
Judy Macemon
VP Marketing, OpGen, Inc.
(240) 813-1279
ASHG Booth #1019
Gaithersburg, Md.—October 13, 2011— OpGen, Inc. announced today the launch of Genome-Builder, a high performance software module that provides new, powerful capabilities for precision sequence assembly and significantly decreases the time and labor required for human, animal and plant genome sequence assembly. OpGen presented initial studies using Genome-Builder this week with its collaborators at the Sanger Institute during a New Methods Workshop at the joint meeting of the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) and the International Congress of Human Genetics (ICHG) in Montreal.
“Genome-Builder expands the functionality of our Argus® Whole Genome Mapping System and provides a significant technology advancement for human genetics research that could lead to detecting clinically important rearrangements missed by current sequencing and array CGH approaches,” said Richard Moore, M.D., Ph.D., chief scientific officer at OpGen. “Using whole genome maps through Genome-Builder provides a high resolution, ordered visual map of the genomic architecture that will allow the detection of structural rearrangements at 10 times the resolution of traditional cytogenetic techniques. This more powerful capability can further help researchers identify important structural changes linked to a broad range of genetic diseases.”
By combining OpGen’s whole genome mapping technology with partially assembled sequences, Genome-Builder quickly and accurately orients long sequence scaffolds to provide a new level of assembly completion, saving the months of effort that can be required by current approaches. In addition, Genome-Builder works seamlessly with OpGen’s Argus Whole Genome Mapping System to enable the high resolution characterization and visual confirmation of very challenging repetitive regions that cannot be resolved by next generation sequencing or other currently available technologies.
Structure variation in human genomes is known to be pervasive, and studies have linked these positional and structural changes in genetic architecture to a number of genetic diseases including cancer, schizophrenia and autism. Despite recent advances in next generation sequencing and other technologies, the accurate detection and resolution of structural variation remains a significant challenge and prevents progress in expanding understanding of genetic disease.
“With the introduction of this new application, OpGen is now able to access and enable the human, animal and plant genome sequencing markets, significantly expanding the market potential for our technology,” said Doug White, chief executive officer of OpGen.
About OpGen, Inc.
OpGen, Inc. is a leading innovator in rapid, accurate genomic and DNA analysis systems and services. The company has developed a platform, the Argus® Whole Genome Mapping System and also offers MapIt® Services that provide high resolution, whole genome restriction maps for sequence assembly and finishing, strain typing and comparative genomics in the life sciences market. This proprietary de novo technology is free from the limitations of gel, PCR and sequencing-based methodologies. Applications to expand whole genome mapping technology to clinical diagnostics are currently in development. OpGen’s customers include leading genomic research centers, biodefense organizations, academic institutions, clinical research organizations and biotechnology companies. For more information, visit www.opgen.com.
OpGen’s Whole Genome Mapping Technology Provides Critical Genomic Information for Malaria Research
New Genetic Variation Discovered in Multi-drug Resistant Plasmodium falciparum Malaria Strain
Media Contact:
Dan Budwick
Pure Communications, Inc.
(973) 271-6085
dan@purecommunicationsinc.com
OpGen Contact:
Judy Macemon
VP Marketing, OpGen, Inc.
(240) 813-1279
GAITHERSBURG, MD, October 11, 2011 – The Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) and OpGen, Inc. today announced publication of findings by the WRAIR that indicate a breakthrough in malaria research (Malaria Journal www.malariajournal.com/content/10/1/252). Malaria affects over 250 million people, resulting in one million deaths each year and is considered a critical global health threat (WHO 2010 World Malaria Report). The team at WRAIR identified new areas of genetic variation in a multidrug-resistant malaria strain and reference sequence strains used in vaccine development, potentially identifying DNA associated with resistance and immune response.
“Automated whole genome mapping technology allowed us to rapidly produce high quality optical maps that spanned all 14 chromosomes of four P. falciparum genomes,” commented Captain Matthew Riley, chief of genomics for the Multidrug-resistant Organism Repository and Surveillance Network (MRSN). “In addition, we identified new regions of interest in these malaria strains, including novel copy number variation that may be related to drug resistance, virulence factors and immune evasion.” The MRSN studies important pathogens to enhance performance improvement and focus infection control for U.S. military troops.
OpGen’s Argus® Whole Genome Mapping System provides rapid, accurate analysis of microbial genomes with complete, ordered, high-resolution DNA maps. The technology is widely used by public health labs and microbial researchers who study the emergence of disease outbreaks and hospital acquired infections that are increasingly difficult to treat with standard therapies.
“This study clearly demonstrates the practical application and value of combining OpGen’s Whole Genome Mapping capabilities with sequencing data to achieve high resolution genetic structure information required to identify important genomic regions associated with virulence and drug resistance,” commented Doug White, OpGen CEO. “DNA sequencing technologies are challenged with sorting out areas of genetic expansion and contraction, highly repetitive areas and locations in the genome where genes are presented in varying copy number from strain to strain. Whole Genome Mapping presents a clear picture of each genome’s architecture.”
About OpGen, Inc.
OpGen, Inc. is a leading innovator in rapid, accurate genomic and DNA analysis systems and services. The company developed the Argus® Whole Genome Mapping System and also offers MapIt™ Services that provide high resolution, whole genome DNA sequence maps and finished DNA sequence information. OpGen’s proprietary de novo technology has none of the limitations of sequencing-based methodologies, PCR or gels. The company’s technology is used by public health agencies and research labs worldwide to rapidly analyze microbial genomes, monitor disease outbreaks and emerging drug resistance. A new application of Whole Genome Mapping is also being applied large genome sequence improvement including mammals, vertebrates, humans and plants. OpGen’s customers include leading genomic research centers, biodefense organizations, academic institutions, clinical research organizations and biotechnology companies. For more information, visit www.opgen.com.
About WRAIR
The Walter Reed Army Institute of Research is the largest and oldest laboratory in the U.S. Army Medical Research and Material Command. It conducts research on a range of medical issues relevant to the military, including naturally occurring infectious diseases, operational health hazards (poor sleep and psychological health of Soldiers), and traumatic brain injury. For more information on new Centers of Excellence for Infectious Disease Research and Military Psychiatry and Neuroscience, visit www.wrair.army.mil.