News Release

Genomatix gets patent for comparative genomics method

Innovative approach allows for identification and assignment of functionally corresponding regulatory sequences throughout different eukaryotic genomes

Business Announcement

Genomatix Software GmbH

Genomatix Software, a company with an outstanding track record in the analysis of genomic data generated by high throughput technologies, announced today that it was issued patent No. EP 1 800 232 B1, "Identification and assignment of functionally corresponding regulatory sequences for orthologous loci in eukaryotic genomes" by the European Patent Office.

The Patent relates to a sophisticated method for identification of networks of functionally related regulatory DNA sequences in different eukaryotic species. With today's high throughput sequencing technology data from an increasing number of various organisms become available. However, the genomic sequence does not reveal scientific insight in the functional organization of the genome. For such the genome needs to be annotated (e.g. location of genes, promoters, genomic repeats etc.). Annotation of regulatory sequences like promoters and enhancers is a special challenge which is not satisfactory solved until today. The patent describes a method using a defined transcriptional start side from a well annotated genome (like human) as an anchor to identify corresponding regulatory regions in the orthologuous areas of less defined species. Results have been proven to be of extremely high quality. Genomatix applies this method in its genomic database ElDorado since several years now and numerous such predicted promoters have been verified experimentally in the meantime.

Dr. Andreas Klingenhoff, Genomatix´ Head of Genomics and Annotation and the inventor of the approach says: "We developed the method over several years, running many projects aimed to identify the evolutionary conserved regulatory elements shared between different eucaryots. It was essential in understanding regulatory networks, mechanisms and pathways, including disease mechanisms in humans. With increasing insight into the extreme complexity of the transcriptome, the method becomes more and more valuable. We continuously work on further improvements and apply it to an increasing number of species, especially in light with our efforts in next generation sequencing data analysis."

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Genomatix Software GmbH is a computational biology company headquartered in Munich, Germany with a seat of business in Ann Arbor, MI, U.S.A. Founded in 1997, Genomatix pioneered the analysis and understanding of eukaryotic gene regulation. Over a decade of developments in computational and systems biology has put Genomatix into position to have a complete analysis pipeline in place at the arrival of next generation sequencing technology. Genomatix has published more than 180 peer reviewed scientific papers with more than 5,000 citations. Over 35,000 researchers worldwide currently apply Genomatix tools and databases.


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