Genedata Expressionist® Established as Data Analysis Platform for Oncological Research
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Genedata, a leading provider of advanced software solutions for drug discovery and life science research, has announced its successful contributions to several oncology-related research consortia, including the EU-funded carcinoGENOMICS, Newgeneris, and INCA projects. Genedata Expressionist, the company's flagship product for molecular profiling applications, was successfully used by these consortia for the analysis and management of complex high-volume, oncology-related data. Additionally, the consortia's oncology-specific requirements fueled the development of enhanced capabilities in Genedata Expressionist, which are now available to all licensees of the software. A comprehensive and enterprise-level solution, Genedata Expressionist helps to identify and understand molecular biomarkers by easily integrating transcriptomics, genomics, epigenomics, proteomics, and metabolomics data.
In implementing Genedata Expressionist for Genomic Profiling, Genedata domain experts worked closely with several EU research consortia including the carcinoGENOMICS project. carcinoGENOMICS was comprised of 20 research organizations representing the pharmaceutical industry as well as leading academic institutions from across Europe. The consortium developed a series of in vitro tests representative of various modes of carcinogenic action for the major target organs liver, lung, and kidney. This approach enables efficient assessment of a high number of compounds as required under REACH, the European Community Regulations on chemicals and their safe use. Moreover, this testing resulted in best practices required to successfully reduce animal testing while enabling more cost-efficient R&D processes.
"Toxicogenomics research is generating large amounts of complex omics data and researchers are challenged to make sense of these data," noted Prof. Dr. Jos Kleinjans, scientific director of the Netherlands Toxigenomic Centre, who is the coordinator of the carcinoGENOMICS Project. "Genedata Expressionist helps researchers to effectively meet these challenges, by efficiently analyzing high-throughput molecular profiling data" continued Kleinjans. "Moreover, the Genedata team of scientists provides the necessary expertise to ensure the success of ambitious projects such as ours."
Researchers use Genedata Expressionist to assess assay reproducibility and predict compound carcinogenicity. Assays are based on the application of omics technologies (i.e. genome-wide transcriptomics and metabolomics) to robust in vitro systems (rat/human). Phenotypic markers for genotoxic and carcinogenic events are assessed to anchor gene expression modulations, metabolic profiles, and mechanistic pathways. Through extensive biostatistics, literature mining, and analysis of molecular-expression datasets, differential genetic pathways are identified, which are capable of predicting mechanisms of chemical carcinogenesis in vivo. Furthermore, Genedata Expressionist is able to integrate transcriptomics and metabolomics data to provide a holistic understanding of systems biology and build an iterative in silico model of chemical carcinogenesis.
Recently, Genedata also contributed its software solutions to a number of innovative EU-funded, oncology-focused projects, including:
* NewGeneris - the consortium successfully investigated chemical risks concerning the development of childhood cancer and immune disorders and the role of prenatal exposure to genotoxic chemicals through maternal intake of food during pregnancy.
* INCA - the consortium successfully examined the role of chronic viral infections in the development of cancer.
"Genedata is proud to work with some of the leading scientists and research organizations worldwide who are fighting some of the most life-threatening diseases," said Dr. Othmar Pfannes, CEO of Genedata. "The know-how and experience gathered in such collaborations continues to drive the advancement of Genedata Expressionist - with the enhancements now available to all licensees of the system."
