ATLANTA, June 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Transgenomic Inc. announced today that members of its Discovery Services team and their collaborators will present a research poster entitled "Comprehensive Analysis of Human Mitochondrial Genome in Peritoneal Mesothelioma Tumor Samples by DHPLC, SURVEYOR Nuclease, and DNA Sequencing" at the "Mastering the Mitochondrial Maze" Symposium, being held in Atlanta June 14-17.
Mitochondria are specialized compartments present in all cells of the body except red blood cells, and play an important role in cellular energy metabolism, and other processes. The mitochondria contain their own DNA (mtDNA), distinct from the cellular genome, in which maternally inherited or acquired (somatic) mutations can cause mitochondrial dysfunction. Impaired functioning of mitochondria is associated with a wide range of degenerative disorders and syndromes including myopathies, encephalomyopathies, and cardiomyopathies. Recent evidence suggests that mitochondrial dysfunction may contribute to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, hereditary spastic paraplegia, and cerebellar degenerations, as well as multiple cancer types.
Defects in mitochondrial function have long been suspected to contribute to the development and progression of cancer. However, the detection of acquired mtDNA mutations in solid tumors and hematological malignancies, can pose various technical challenges. The Transgenomic presentation highlights a multi-pronged approach that enables high-sensitivity scanning of the complete mitochondrial genome for all types of mutations. Dr. Stan Lilleberg, Director of Translational and Clinical Research, commented on the significance of the work. "Given prior evidence that mitochondrial DNA mutations may be associated with cancer, this work provides evidence that Transgenomic's technologies provide the basis for a viable approach to identification of mitochondrial DNA biomarkers that may aid in the early detection and monitoring of various cancers."
Dr. Lilleberg went on to elaborate on the Company's capabilities in the genetic analysis of mitochondrial diseases. "Our high-sensitivity mutation scanning capabilities are of direct relevance in the diagnosis of mitochondrial disease. A large number of patients who have the clinical manifestations and pathology findings consistent with mitochondrial DNA disorders do not have detectable common mutations using standard approaches to mtDNA analysis. Through our CLIA-compliant diagnostic services laboratory, we offer our Mito-ScanGx(TM) assay, which includes complete in-depth scanning of the entire mitochondrial genome. This whole-genome approach is helping us to understand this heterogenous disease at a level of detail and sensitivity never before possible. In addition, our Mito-TypeGx(TM) and Mito-DeltaGx(TM) assays test for specific genetic variations that are more commonly associated with specific diseases."
About Transgenomic
Transgenomic is a global company that provides versatile and innovative products and services to the medical research and pharmaceutical markets. Transgenomic's WAVE Systems are specifically designed for use in genetic variation detection. They have broad applicability to genetic research and molecular diagnostics. The emerging pursuit of personalized medicine is driving the ongoing need to detect new, uncharacterized mutations and genetic polymorphisms. The high analytical sensitivity of the WAVE System makes it a uniquely enabling technology for the advancement of personalized medicine. To date there have been over one thousand systems installed in over 30 countries around the world. In addition to the sale of systems and consumables, Transgenomic provides laboratory services to pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies, as well as molecular diagnostic testing services to meet the needs of physicians and patients. Transgenomic's menu of available tests includes mutation scanning assays covering more than 700 cancer-associated genes for use in clinical and translational research, and more than 60 validated diagnostic tests performed in the company's CLIA-compliant facility. For more information about the innovative genomics research tools developed and marketed by Transgenomic, please visit the company's Web site at http://www.transgenomic.com/.
Forward-Looking Statement
Certain statements in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" of Transgenomic within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those with respect to management's current views and estimates of future economic circumstances, industry conditions, company performance and financial results, including the usefulness of the company's Discovery Services team to contribute toward cutting edge research on targeted therapeutics. The known risks, uncertainties and other factors affecting these forward-looking statements are described from time to time in Transgenomic's reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any change in such factors, risks and uncertainties may cause the actual results, events and performance to differ materially from those referred to in such statements. Accordingly, the company claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 with respect to all statements contained in this press release. All information in this press release is as of the date of the release and Transgenomic does not undertake any duty to update this information, including any forward-looking statements, unless required by law.
Transgenomic Inc.
CONTACT: Robert J. Pogulis, Ph.D., of Transgenomic Inc.,+1-845-782-9617, rpogulis@transgenomic.com
Web site: http://www.transgenomic.com/