New DNA Sequencing Technology Could Accelerate Pace of Genomic Medicine, According to Bio-IT World Magazine

 | Source: Cambridge Healthtech Institute Cambridge Healthtech Institute

NEEDHAM, MA--(Marketwire - October 18, 2007) - If new sequencing technology delivers as promised, researchers may soon be able to decode DNA molecules at unprecedented speed, thereby accelerating the pace of genomic medicine, according to the October issue of Bio-IT World magazine, the leading independent publication providing news and analysis on enabling technologies for the biopharma industry.

Although Helicos BioSciences Corporation is entering the high-throughput DNA sequencing market two years after its major competitors, it is confident its technology will perform best, the magazine reports.

Stanley Lapidus, a co-founder of Helicos, says, "It's fine we're not the first in the market. We believe we have the best platform and the best trajectory."

The platform he referenced is the HeliScope, purported to be the most powerful genetic analyzer built to date, featured in "Single Minded Sequencing" in the October issue of Bio-IT World.

Comparing the next stage of DNA sequencing to the era of microbe hunting, which led to the development of the germ theory of disease, Lapidus says the "opportunity to change the quality of life of mankind for the better is just as profound..."

Key to high-throughput DNA sequencing is the ability to handle tremendous quantities of data. According to Bio-IT World, the HeliScope generates 20 terabytes of data a day -- approximately equal to the content of 20 million books. To increase analytical efficiency, the HeliScope sends the data it generates from a sequencing run to an informatics processor run, enabling it to start a new run as those data are analyzed.

DATA MANAGEMENT REQUIRES MORE THAN EFFICIENT STORAGE

As the amount of data generated by life sciences companies continues to skyrocket, the competitive edge increasingly will go to organizations that figure out how to manage the flow of information between storage and processing systems, helping to eliminate bottlenecks that often occur at that stage.

"Data Management: The Next Generation," also featured in the October issue, examines key issues that life sciences organizations must resolve when designing storage systems. According to the article, energy efficiency, in addition to system performance and data management, is becoming a key factor for handling data in the life sciences.

ALSO IN THE OCTOBER ISSUE OF BIO-IT WORLD 

--  Editor Kevin Davies reports on how improved capacity of SNP chips is
    helping the 2005 winner of the Bio-It World Best Practices Award for basic
    research launch a new consumer genomics company.
--  William Van Etten takes a look at alternative solutions for compute-
    intensive research problems, which is especially important to smaller
    groups that don't have large IT staffs.
--  Drug repositioning -- which looks to breathe new life into chemical
    entities that have failed in clinical studies -- is gaining strength. "Drug
    Redux" details how more and more companies are approaching the task.
--  Life sciences companies are using social networking and Web 2.0
    initiatives to connect with experts and consultants. "SciLink Scours the
    Web for Connections" explains how one enterprising company is helping.

ABOUT BIO-IT WORLD

Bio-IT World (www.bio-itworld.com), the flagship publication of Cambridge Healthtech Institute (CHI), is the leading source of news on technology and strategic innovation in drug discovery, development, and clinical trials. Bio-IT World explores the tools and results of predictive biology as the industry adapts to the new world of personalized medicine. Bio-IT World has won 34 national and regional awards, more than any other magazine covering the life sciences industry. CHI offers a suite of published resources through a new division -- Cambridge Healthtech Media Group -- that includes Bio-IT World magazine, numerous topic-specific eNewsletters, white papers, webcasts, podcasts, conferences, and the Bio-IT World Best Practices Awards. The magazine is based in Needham, MA.

ABOUT CAMBRIDGE HEALTHTECH INSTITUTE (CHI)

Founded in 1992, Cambridge Healthtech Institute (www.healthtech.com) is the industry leader offering the preeminent source of information to the leading researchers and business experts from top pharmaceutical, biotech, and academic organizations. Delivering an assortment of resources such as events, reports, publications and eNewsletters, CHI's portfolio of products include Cambridge Healthtech Institute Events, Pharmaceutical Strategy Series, Insight Pharma Reports, Marketing Services, and Cambridge Healthtech Media Group.

Contact Information: Contact: Kevin Davis Editor-in-Chief Bio-IT World 781-972-1341