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■ RIKEN GENESIS and the Beijing Genomics Institute in China have launched a business tie-up to offer SNP genotyping and DNA sequencing services reciprocally
～ Launch of comprehensive provision for the further development of genomic research using both companies' world-class technologies ～
June 16, 2009
RIKEN GENESIS
Beijing Genomics Institute
RIKEN GENESIS (headquartered in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan; President & CEO, Yusuke Tsukahara; hereafter RG) and the Beijing Genomics Institute (headquartered in Shenzhen, China; Executive Director, Jian Wang; hereafter BGI) have agreed a business tie-up whereby they will reciprocally provide RG's contract SNP genotyping services and BGI's contract DNA sequencing services. This tie-up has enabled the two companies to launch the comprehensive provision of their respective world-class contract genomic services in Japan and China from June 22, 2009.
Specifically, this tie-up means that RG has begun DNA sequencing services in Japan by using BGI's next-generation sequencers, while BGI has launched RG's SNP genotyping services in China. BGI's DNA sequencing services are now available for the first time in Japan, while RG's SNP genotyping services are extended internationally to China for the first time.
This tie-up enables both companies to expand their customer bases for provision of their contract genomic services. In addition, offering both their respective world-class genomic services at the same time has the merit of enabling users such as universities and other research institutions in both countries to make use of two different types of top-level genomic services, thus contributing to the further development of genome research in Japan and China.
Background
RG was established with investment from Toppan Printing and RIKEN Venture Capital in October 2007. The company uses technology taken over from the RIKEN Center for Genomic Medicine to offer SNP genotyping services. It possesses world-leading SNP genotyping facilities using state-of-the-art analytical equipment, and its data are among the most accurate in the world.
BGI, based in Shenzhen, China, is one of the world's leading sequencing centers, possessing over 30 state-of-the-art next-generation sequencers and employing top-level Chinese researchers. Recently, the Institute announced its completion of the decoding of the giant panda and cucumber genomes, demonstrating a high level of technological prowess.
SNP genotyping and DNA sequencing are both vital analytical methods for genome studies.
Reciprocal provision of the world-class genomic services offered by RG and BGI will contribute to the further development of genomic research in Japan and China.
Features of Services
― Advantages and features of contract DNA sequencing services ―
BGI's DNA sequencing services are now available for the first time in Japan. The company offers a completely integrated service, from DNA sequence preprocessing to sequencing and production of data for use in bioinformatics. Additionally, it is compatible with different sequencing methods (including denovo.re-seq and Exome), enabling it to meet almost all researcher requirements.
― Advantages and features of contract SNP genotyping ―
RG's SNP genotyping services are now extended to China and are available internationally for the first time. In addition to the high level of data accuracy and high call rate, genotyping can be provided within a short period of time. Genotyping operations are fully automated, meaning there is no opportunity for samples or data to be mixed up. In addition, as specimen injection is standardized, detection of defective data during genotyping is infrequent, maintaining a high level of data accuracy.
【Inquiries about this press release】
RIKEN GENESIS CO., LTD.
Sales & Marketing Development Department
TEL: 045-521-8781 / FAX: 045-521-8786 / e-mail: info2@rikengenesis.jp.jp