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Los Angeles, CA – At today’s “Post-Genomics: Gene
Expression Profiling and Beyond” session of the 100th
meeting of the American Society of Microbiology, Barry R. Bochner,
Ph.D. presented the first major public unveiling of Biolog’s Phenotype
MicroArray™ (PM) technology. In an address entitled, “Phenotype
MicroArrays™ for Genomic Studies,” Dr. Bochner discussed a novel
technology developed by Biolog, Inc., a Hayward, California company.
Dr. Bochner is one of the country’s leading experts in the rapid
analysis of cell phenotypes (observable characteristics of cell)
and a founder of Biolog.
According to Dr. Bochner, “The technology now exists
to rapidly assess literally thousands of phenotypes simultaneously
in a very simple, efficient, cost effective, high-throughput standardized
format. PMs were originally developed for use with bacteria and
fungi, but soon we will be able to apply them also to analyze genes
and other functions in human cells.” PMs are in a standard microtiter
plate format, with each well containing a different cell culture
medium designed to test a single unique phenotype or cell function.
After adding the cells to be analyzed to the microtiter wells they
are incubated, typically for 24 to 48 hours, and their phenotypic
behavior is observed and recorded using a newly developed instrument
called the OmniLog®.
PMs can monitor, either directly or indirectly, most
aspects of cell function. These include: cell-surface binding and
transport functions; catabolism (growth promoting metabolism of
basic nutrients) of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur; biosynthesis;
cellular architecture; cellular respiration; stress and repair functions;
and other cellular properties.
According to Dr. Bochner, PMs are analogous to high-throughput
DNA microarrays in that both can scan the whole cell and are useful
in determining gene function. He points out, however, that they
differ in that DNA microarrays measure thousands of genes under
one cellular condition, while Phenotype MicroArrays measure one
gene under thousands of cellular conditions. “With the sequencing
phase of the Human Genome Project drawing to a conclusion, many
genes have been identified,” said Dr. Bochner. “But the need now
is to understand those genes and their function in much greater
detail.”
The last several years have seen a revolution in many
aspects of high-throughput technologies being applied to biological
research and development. The major technologies (DNA synthesis
and sequencing, combinatorial chemistry, and DNA microarrays) have
grabbed the attention of scientists because they greatly extend
the scope and efficiency of methods that were previously slow, inefficient,
and expensive. Furthermore they are very useful and broadly applicable
“platform” technologies.
Biolog’s PM technology is also a broadly applicable
“platform” technology. It is the first technology that can address
the general needs of testing at the cellular level and it will create
many new opportunities in research and development for laboratories
that aggressively adopt its use.
For more information, contact Tim Mullane (CEO) at
Biolog at (510) 785-2564 ext. 319 or visit the Biolog website at
www.biolog.com.
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