PacBio Sequencing for Human Applications to be Featured at ASHG Annual Meeting


MENLO PARK, Calif., Oct. 14, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pacific Biosciences of California, Inc., (Nasdaq:PACB) provider of the PacBio® RS II DNA Sequencing System, today announced that its Single Molecule, Real-Time (SMRT®) Sequencing technology will be featured in a number of presentations at the 2014 American Society of Human Genetics Annual Meeting taking place October 18-22 at the San Diego Convention Center.

"We've seen great momentum over the last year with customers and collaborators using our SMRT Sequencing technology for human genetic research and believe we are in a better position than ever to showcase our products going into this important annual meeting," said Kevin Corcoran, Senior Vice President of Market Development for Pacific Biosciences. "Researchers are increasingly realizing SMRT Sequencing is not only a method of choice for human genetic studies, it is a necessary tool when highly accurate and complete coverage is required. We recently announced the purchase of multiple PacBio RS II instruments by Macrogen and Craig Venter's Human Longevity Institute, and look forward to more organizations like these that are involved in large-scale human population genetic projects adopting our technology."

Attendees at the meeting can learn more about SMRT Sequencing at the following presentations:

Podium Presentations:

Sunday, October 19

11:30 a.m.

  • Discovery and Impact of Balanced Inversion Polymorphisms
    Jan Korbel, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL)

Tuesday, October 21

8:00 a.m.

  • Completion of the 1000 Genomes Project: Results, Lessons Learned and Open Questions
    Goncalo R. Abecasis, University of Michigan School of Public Health

11:45 a.m.

  • High-throughput Determination of Long INterspersed Element-1 Integration Preferences in the Human Genome
    Diane A. Flasch, University of Michigan Medical School

5:45 p.m.

  • Increased Complexity of the Human Genome Revealed by Single-Molecule Sequencing
    Mark Chaisson, University of Washington

Workshop

Pacific Biosciences will host a workshop: "A New Look at the Human Genome – Novel Insights with Long-Read PacBio Sequencing," on Tuesday, October 21, 12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Speakers and topics include:

  • Increased Complexity of the Human Genome Revealed by Single-Molecule Sequencing
    Evan Eichler, Ph.D., University of Washington
  • Defining a Personal, Allele-Specific, and Single-Molecule Long-Read Transcriptome
    Hagen Tilgner, Ph.D., Stanford University
  • Long-Read Multiplexed Amplicon Sequencing: Applications for Epigenetics and Pharmacogenetics
    Stuart Scott, Ph.D., Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Attendees can also visit members of the PacBio staff at booth #931, and view numerous poster presentations about SMRT Sequencing on topics such as HLA genotyping, resolving 'dark matter' in human genomes, transcriptome sequencing and DNA methylation analysis, in the Exhibit Hall.

A number of recent publications and presentations have highlighted the advantages of using long-read SMRT Sequencing data to extend the view of human genetic variation. The long sequence reads provided by the PacBio RS II are complementary to short reads from high-throughput machines because they enable human genome researchers to, for example, sequence complex genomic regions, resolve structural variation, phase haplotypes, improve the utility and mapping ability of reference genomes, fill gaps, and validate variant calls. This provides the most comprehensive view possible of the human genome.

For more information or to register for the PacBio workshop visit: http://programs.pacificbiosciences.com/l/1652/2014-08-22/2wst89

About the PacBio RS II and SMRT Sequencing

Pacific Biosciences' SMRT Sequencing technology achieves the industry's longest read lengths, highest consensus accuracy, and the least degree of bias. These characteristics, combined with the ability to detect many types of DNA base modifications (e.g., methylation) as part of the sequencing process, make the PacBio RS II an essential tool for many scientists studying genetic and genomic variation. The PacBio platform provides a sequencing solution that can address a growing number of complex medical, agricultural, and industrial problems.

About Pacific Biosciences

Pacific Biosciences of California, Inc. (Nasdaq:PACB) offers the PacBio RS II DNA Sequencing System to help scientists solve genetically complex problems. Based on its novel Single Molecule, Real-Time (SMRT) technology, the company's products enable: targeted sequencing to more comprehensively characterize genetic variations; de novo genome assembly to more fully identify, annotate, and decipher genomic structures; and DNA base modification identification to help characterize epigenetic regulation and DNA damage. By providing access to information that was previously inaccessible, Pacific Biosciences enables scientists to increase their understanding of biological systems. More information is available at www.pacb.com

Forward Looking Statements

All statements in this press release that are not historical are forward-looking statements, including, among other things, future uses of the Company's products, the Company's prospects and other future events. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that are, in some cases, beyond the Company's control and could materially affect actual results. Factors that could materially affect actual results can be found in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q, and include those listed under the caption "Risk Factors." The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements.



            

Contact Data