BERLIN and SEATTLE, June 26, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Epigenomics AG (Frankfurt:ECX) (Prime Standard:ECX), a molecular diagnostics company developing tests based on DNA methylation, and the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute today released comprehensive epigenetic data on the human chromosomes 6, 20, and 22. The data are the first results of the Human Epigenome Project (HEP) started in 2003 to identify and map sites in the human genome that are chemically modified by methylation.
DNA methylation is a process by which cells modulate the activity of their genes. The patterns of the methylation differ from tissue to tissue reflecting the different tasks of tissues and organs, which require the activity of genes necessary for the specialized function. In addition, DNA methylation patterns change during development, upon environmental influences and in many diseases, e.g. in cancer, age-related diseases etc.
As methylation is the only flexible genomic parameter that can change gene function under exogenous influence, the mapping of these DNA methylation patterns is an important step towards an understanding of how genes are regulated in the context of development, environment and diseases. HEP therefore also is a very important complement to the Human Genome Project, as HEP data reflect the functional dynamic of the genome while the Human Genome Project data provide a blueprint of the fixed state of the genome.
The data sets released today comprise the methylation patterns of three human chromosomes (number 6, 20, and 22) and have been derived from 43 samples comprising 12 different tissues and cell types. So far, HEP has looked at more than 2,500 different genomic loci and found that 21% of all loci, or 17% of all genes on these chromosomes are differentially methylated in at least one of the examined tissue. The results will be published in detail over the coming months.
"This is the first study report ever establishing the DNA methylation blueprint for whole chromosomes," said Alexander Olek, CEO of Epigenomics AG, "and we believe the results justify the effort. As an example, we found that between the specimens examined, a surprisingly high proportion of the genomic sites are differentially methylated. So science may have underestimated the role of DNA methylation in gene regulation and tissue differentiation. The data constitute an important reference tool for further epigenetic studies and will help us to identify new marker candidates for a variety of medical conditions."
Results were patented. Epigenomics AG will use the data for the development of diagnostic products. HEP was launched in October 2003 as a public/private collaboration by Epigenomics AG and the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute and aims to identify and catalogue Methylation Variable Positions (MVPs) in the human genome. HEP has been jointly funded by the partners. Epigenomics is conducting methylation specific steps in preanalytics as well as the amplification of the probes, while Sanger is conducting the sequencing.
About DNA methylation
Methylation is a natural epigenetic process that occurs when a methyl group binds to one of DNA's four bases, cytosine. The presence of methylation is responsible for controlling the activity of genes by turning them off, like a switch, when not needed. By measuring the differences in the methylation patterns between healthy and diseased tissue, a change in gene activity that could trigger diseases such as cancer is detected. Epigenomics has developed an industrial process that is able to read and interpret these methylation patterns.
About the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute
The Sanger Institute is a genome research institute primarily funded by the Wellcome Trust. Our purpose is to further the knowledge of genomes particularly through large-scale sequencing and analysis. The Wellcome Trust is an independent research-funding charity, established under the will of Sir Henry Wellcome in 1936. It is funded from a private endowment which is managed with long-term stability and growth in mind. The Trust's mission is to foster and promote research with the aim of improving human and animal health.
About Epigenomics
Epigenomics is a molecular diagnostic company with a focus on the development of novel products for cancer. By detecting and interpreting DNA methylation patterns, Epigenomics' tests can potentially diagnose disease at an early stage and help guide physicians to select an appropriate therapy. Epigenomics collaborates with Roche Diagnostics on the development of several diagnostic products in cancer. The company has its headquarters in Berlin, Germany, and a wholly owned subsidiary in Seattle, USA. For more information, please visit our website at www.epigenomics.com.
Data Release Policy Methylation Variable Positions (MVPs) will be generated in batches. After 120 days the data from each completed batch will be released at http://www.sanger.ac.uk/epigenome and http://www.epigenome.org. No license expressed or implied is granted for commercial use of the released data. Non-commercial entities may use the data solely for non-commercial research purposes. For the avoidance of doubt, the data is subject to the Wellcome Trust Intellectual Property Policy and patent applications might have been filed.
For details, please visit http://www.epigenome.org/index.php?page=release
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