Cambridge University and Life Technologies collaborate to set up high throughput sequencing hub

2 December 2009

The University of Cambridge and Life Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ:LIFE), are collaborating to make next-generation sequencing technology available to the European research and clinical communities through the Eastern Sequence and Informatics Hub at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge. 

The aim is to advance translational research studies in key disease areas such as cancer, diabetes and neurological disorders.  

The Cambridge-based hub was established with funding from the Medical Research Council and from the University’s Clinical School and NIHR Biomedical Research Centre to accelerate the use of genetic information to help identify new therapies, diagnostics and preventive strategies.

Genomics and biomedical scientists will use three SOLiD 3 Plus Systems, next-generation DNA sequencing platforms from Life Technologies, to advance targeted medical resequencing and whole transcriptome analysis research studies.

“We are at an exciting point in history where technologies such as the SOLiD System, provide the throughput and accuracy required for comprehensive characterization of disease systems,” said Professor John Todd of the University of Cambridge and principal investigator at the Eastern Sequence and Informatics Hub, Addenbrooke’s Hospital.

“The translation of this information into clinically relevant knowledge will have a direct impact on the treatment of human disease through the development of better diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic agents.”

“The collaboration with the University of Cambridge’s Eastern Sequence and Informatics Hub, underlines our commitment to help deliver the potential of translational research and accelerate the realization of personalized medicine,” said Shaf Yousaf, President, Genomic Analysis at Life Technologies.

“The SOLiD System offers an optimized and integrated next-generation sequencing solution to provide researchers with the required throughput, accuracy, speed and flexibility for a wide range of genetic investigations.”