WaferGen and University of Pittsburgh Establish Research Collaboration for SmartChip™ Real-Time PCR System
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WaferGen Biosystems, Inc. has announced that it has established a research collaboration with the University of Pittsburgh Medical School to have it serve as the alpha test site for WaferGen's SmartChip™ Real-Time PCR System.
The SmartChip Real-Time PCR System is designed as the first whole genome, high throughput gene expression real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) platform and promises to deliver significant advantages to researchers in the gene expression and genotyping markets.
Under terms of the collaboration, Steven D. Shapiro, M.D., Jack D. Myers Professor and Chairman of the Department of Medicine at University of Pittsburgh, and his team of researchers will leverage the high-throughput real-time PCR capabilities of WaferGen's SmartChip product to support their identification of therapeutically-relevant biomarkers in the areas of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer.
"We are pleased to announce Dr. Shapiro and his highly-regarded research team as the very first collaborators for WaferGen's revolutionary SmartChip Real-Time PCR System," said Alnoor Shivji, WaferGen's chairman and chief executive officer.
"The fact that a scientist of Dr. Shapiro's reputation is eager to incorporate our product into his lab is a true testament to the significant advantages that this product offers as compared to traditional microarrays and real-time PCR. We look forward to supporting the valuable research being conducted by Dr. Shapiro and the University of Pittsburgh Medical School."
Dr. Shapiro is a world-renowned expert in identifying and understanding the underlying biological contributors to pulmonary diseases such as COPD and lung cancer. With the goal of uncovering novel and effective pulmonary disease therapeutics, Dr. Shapiro and his team employ a multidisciplinary research approach which the SmartChip Real-Time PCR System is expected to strengthen.
"The ability to perform genome-wide real-time PCR is a great advance in technology," stated Dr. Shapiro. "We look forward to working with WaferGen to test their innovative approach."
The SmartChip Real-Time PCR System ™ is designed as the first whole genome, high throughput gene expression real-time PCR platform and promises to deliver significant speed to researchers in the gene expression and genotyping markets.
WaferGen believes the SmartChip Real-Time PCR System will be the first platform to combine the high-throughput capability and cost efficiencies of existing microarrays, with the sensitivity and accuracy of real-time PCR.
