Biotech Company Introduces Mass Density Genome Analysis for Personalized Medicine

A biotech company in the United Kingdom is offering assay development and clinical testing services for personalized medicine using technology with advanced rapid gene sequencing and genotyping capabilities.

NewGene (Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom) is a young company jointly owned by the Newcastle Hospitals NHS (National Health Service) Foundation Trust and Newcastle University. The company has recently introduced a tumor marker-identification service based on the Sequenom analyzer platform.

The Sequenom is a high capacity mass array DNA analyzer that uses MALDI (matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization) TOF (time of flight) mass spectrometry. This technology is able to distinguish stretches of DNA sequence that differ by one, or a small number of bases. Short oligonucleotides are extended, usually by a single base at the position of the sequence variant. The TOF of the extended oligonucleotide within the vacuum chamber of the Sequenom is an accurate indicator of its mass and from this the genotype is determined. Variant detection can be carried out in multiplex, with up to 30 sites targeted in a single assay.

NewGene is using this platform both qualitatively and quantitatively to determine SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) variants in mRNA and to detect previously described “common” mutations in specific disease causative genes.

In addition, NewGene is working closely with major pharmaceutical companies on the use of its fast throughput and flexible molecular pathology test platform to develop new clinical assays in response to the introduction of new genomic-based medicines.

Dr. Michael Wright, a director of NewGene, said, “There is clearly significant current interest in the power and effectiveness of targeted therapies and this has resulted in considerable growth in demand for biomarker testing services. Traditionally molecular testing does not have a natural base in NHS pathology laboratories. NewGene’s dedicated service overcomes this problem by harnessing the capabilities of the latest sequencing and genotyping technology alongside specialist clinical molecular genetics and research skills. More importantly we believe that such developments represent a significant step forwards towards comprehensive tumor profiling and more informed cancer therapy, which in turn will lead to better patient outcomes.”

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