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The data will be presented jointly by Empire Genomics and Reprogenetics atthe 63rd Annual Meeting of the ASRM in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, October17, 2007.
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"We are convinced this new technology will enable us to improve screeningfor genetic defects as well as improve the pregnancy outcome for patientsundergoing IVF by reducing spontaneous abortions and genetically affectedconceptions," said Santiago Munne, Ph.D., Reprogenetics director. "CurrentlyPGD requires highly skilled and experienced embryologists to process the cellsfor the current technology. This new technology simplifies this step makingPGD more accessible to IVF centers and their patients."
Empire Genomics has developed a technology called array-based ComparativeGenomic Hybridization (aCGH) that determines gains or losses of geneticmaterial to streamline screening for chromosomal defects such as Down'ssyndrome. DNA microarray technology places DNA representing genes andchromosomes on a slide for comparison with a normal set, and the Reprogeneticsand Empire Genomics collaboration has resulted in the successful applicationof this technology to preimplantation genetic screening.
"With our advanced genomic technology we are able to screen all of thechromosomes from a single cell obtained from an embryo, as opposed toconventional techniques that selectively screen just half of the chromosomes,and for use in IVF, we can complete the process rapidly to allow for embryoscreening before implantation has to take place," said Norma Nowak, Ph.D.,Empire Genomics' founder and CSO. "The collaboration with Reprogenetics hasallowed us to optimize this technique and expand the abilities to detect othermicrodeletion occurrences."
The abstract, entitled "Comprehensive Aneuploidy Screening in Single CellsUsing Microarray Comparative Genomic Hybridization Methods: Implications forPreimplantation Genetic Diagnosis," will be presented on Wednesday, October17th at 3:30pm. These data to be presented demonstrate reproducible genomicprofiling of single cells. Trisomies were identified in chromosomes 13, 15,16, 18 and 21, which are associated with Down's syndrome, poor fetaldevelopment and several rare conditions. Sex mismatched DNA was alsoidentified. With this technology more aneuploidy could be identified and thusavoided compared to conventional screening techniques.
ABOUT EMPIRE GENOMICS
Empire Genomics, based in Buffalo, New York, utilizes proprietarytechniques to identify and quantify chromosomal abnormalities. Specificallythe company has evolved array-based Comparative Genomic Hybridization (aCGH)by developing microarrays that utilize discrete segments of DNA generated fromthe RPCI BAC clones. These are of considerable diagnostic value to early stagedisease detection and treatment, and streamline the process by eliminating theneed to grow cells or obtain large sample amounts. The company was founded onthe research experience of Dr. Norma Nowak and her more than 100 peer reviewedresearch publications. More information on Empire Genomics is available atwww.empiregenomics.com.
ABOUT REPROGENETICS
Reprogenetics was established in 2000 as a private genetics laboratoryspecializing in Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD). The company currentlyhas two stand-alone laborato
