Washington state researchers receive award for making genetic analysis easier

Chemists Michael W. Reed, Ph.D., Igor V. Kutyavin, Ph.D., Sergey Lokhov, Ph.D., and Eugeny A. Lukhtanov, Ph.D., of Epoch Biosciences Inc. in Bothell, Wash., will be honored June 15 by the world’s largest scientific society for creating better tools for genetic analysis. They will receive one of two 2001 Industrial Innovation Awards at the American Chemical Society’s Northwest regional meeting in Seattle.

Researchers use tools called probes to help them identify certain genes — hereditary units of genetic information used by cells to determine everything from hair color to disease. DNA probes work like molecular light switches, turning on only when they find DNA that contains a specific gene.

Different probes are needed for every gene, and producing probes is often difficult. The Epoch Biosciences team has found a way to make the process easier by creating a new class of DNA probes that are shorter, more gene specific and more tolerant of the high temperatures they are exposed to during analysis.

"As a result of these innovations, these probes have been brought from a laboratory discovery to practical products for global welfare," said William G. Gerber, M.D., chief executive officer at Epoch Biosciences Inc. Researchers are using DNA probes to decipher the human genome, diagnosis diseases such as leukemia, and screen for inherited diseases.

The American Chemical Society’s Industrial Innovation Awards recognize individuals and teams whose discoveries and inventions contribute to the commercial success of their companies and enhance our quality of life.

Michael W. Reed, Ph.D., is director of conjugation chemistry at Epoch Biosciences Inc. He received his B.S. in chemistry from Michigan State University in 1980 and his Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of California, Davis, in 1986. He was a postdoctoral researcher at the University of California, Irvine, in 1987. He resides in Seattle.

Igor V. Kutyavin, Ph.D., is a research scientist at Epoch Biosciences Inc. He received his M.S. in chemistry from the Special Technological Bureau of Biologically Active Compounds in Novosibirsk, Russia, in 1979 and his Ph.D. from the Novosibirsk Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry in Novosibirsk, Russia, in 1989. He resides in Bothell, Wash.

Sergey Lokhov, Ph.D., is a research scientist at Epoch Biosciences Inc. He received his M.S. in chemistry from Ural’s Polytechnical University in Ekaterinburg, Russia, in 1977 and his Ph.D. in bioorganic chemistry from the Novosibirsk Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry in Novosibirsk, Russia, in 1995. He resides in Kirkland, Wash.

Eugeny A. Lukhtanov, Ph.D., is a research scientist at Epoch Biosciences Inc. He received his M.S. in chemistry from Novosibirsk State University in Novosibirsk, Russia, in 1985 and his Ph.D. in bioorganic chemistry from the Novosibirsk Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry in Novosibirsk, Russia, in 1990. He resides in Bothell, Wash.