From genomics to epigenomics

AAP General News (Australia)
12-08-1999
From genomics to epigenomics

From genomics to epigenomics:

Launch of the Human Epigenome Consortium (HEC)



BERLIN, Germany (ots)/News Aktuell-AsiaNet/ -- Berlin based
Epigenomics GmbH today announced the official kick-off of the
`Human Epigenome Consortium' (HEC). The consortium includes amongst
others the coordinator, Epigenomics GmbH, as well as researchers
from the Sanger Center (Hinxton, UK), the Max Planck Institute for
Molecular Genetics (Berlin), the Centre National de Ginotypage
(France), the Technical University of Berlin, Medeea
GmbH (Hamburg), and the German Cancer Research Institute
(Heidelberg).



The consortium was established to fill the void that will be left
even after the completion of the human genome project (HUGO) in 2000,
as well as the US$300m funded SNP-consortium. Neither of the two, nor
any other current rival technology, will answer the most fundamental
questions of genetic underpinnings of life: the informational systems
that regulate and complement the genetic and genomic information that
determine what attributes of a cell get expressed, e.g. whether it
turns into a cancer cell or not.



Epigenomics GmbH and the Human Epigenome Consortium will develop
integrated technologies that provide an individual's epigenotype or
'digital phenotype'. To achieve their goals, the teams will approach
the scientific issue from various angles: firstly, genome-scale
mapping of epigenetic parameters such as DNA-methylation; secondly,
identification and analysis of epigenomic loci in some of the most
interesting regions of the human genome; and thirdly, comparative
analysis of epigenomic information from different organisms.



These projects - as the industry 's leading magazine 'Nature
Biotechnology' said in its December issue 1999 (p. 1144) - "are just
the beginning of what will undoubtedly be a long and fertile period
of epigenomic research". Ultimately, Epigenomics aims at globally
establishing an 'open phenotypic unified standard' (OPUS) for
classification, annotation, and utilisation of epigenetic
information.



Epigenomics is a young, growth-oriented biotech company, offering a
unique technology platform. Epigenomics aims at introducing the first
routine diagnostics based on molecular biology for complex genetic
disease into clinical reality on a global scale. Epigenomics pioneers
the massive collection of epigenetic information for a description of
cells and individuals by 'digital phenotypes'. With its technology
Epigenomics will be a leader in the revolution towards tomorrow's
personalized medicines.



Contact: Epigenomics GmbH Oliver Schacht

Phone: +49 30 4404099 schacht@epigenomics.de

KEYWORD: MEDICAL/HEALTHCARE ANWE1867

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