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