MOUSE GENES OFF THE SHELF Geneservice and RZPD to distribute DNABookTM

Cambridge, UK and Berlin, Germany – Geneservice Ltd and RZPD German Resource Center for Genome Research announce jointly with Kabushiki Kaisha Dnaform an agreement for the distribution of the RIKEN Mouse Genome Encyclopaedia DNABookTM for Dnaform. The book comprises the largest collection to date of complete mouse genes called FANTOM, created by the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (RIKEN), with 60,770 full-length mouse cDNA clones spotted onto paper and bound in a B5 size book.

Dr Thomas Weaver, Geneservice’s CEO explained the significance of the DNABook. “In one source, you have easiest and quickest way yet conceived of accessing the entire mouse genome. In addition to speed, all clones are of the same quality and quantity – even those that are traditionally difficult to extract and amplify. It really is the perfect library”.

RZPD’s Scientific Managing Director, Dr. Johannes Maurer, added: “We are very glad that we have jointly reached an agreement that allows our companies the distribution of this valuable resource”.
The actual genetic material making up a mouse (the “genome”) is physically embedded into the pages of the DNABook, allowing easy storage, distribution and instant access to the genetic material. The book is also supported on-line by comprehensive databases for searching and retrieving essential information for each gene, accelerating functional genomic studies in the Mouse.

For more information please visit www.geneservice.co.uk/products/book/DNABook.jsp
http://www.rzpd.de/products/fantom/

ENDS

Notes to editors

About Geneservice Limited
Geneservice Limited is an innovative genomics-based products and services company recently formed from the UK Medical Research Council. Their mission is to provide an archiving and distribution portal for emerging genomic reagents, such as bacterial clones and Human DNA samples, generated by academic groups and consortia internationally. GSL also provides access to state-of-the-art high throughput technologies to academic and commercial clients for the study of gene expression and gene mapping, including disease gene identification, DNA sequencing, micro satellite and SNP genotyping, whole genome amplification and RNA expression profiling. Geneservice’s one-stop service program for genomics researchers is highly regarded for its quality, turnaround time and competitive pricing.

About RZPD German Resource Center for Genome Research
RZPD is a service centre and technology platform for genome research. Based on one of the most comprehensive public clone collection worldwide, it provides high-quality research material, high-throughput technology and automation solutions for academic institutions as well as for industrial applications. All material data available from RZPD is stored in a primary database and is cross-linked with records from other public sources. RZPD is certified to meet the requirements of and to comply with ISO 9001:2000 quality standards.

About Dnaform
Dnaform was established in September 1998 to commercialize technologies developed during the Mouse Encyclopedia Project at the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (RIKEN). K.K. Dnaform in Japan and Dnaform Inc. in the United States are engaged in a wide range of genomic research based on the patented FULL-LENGTH cDNA TECHNOLOGY from RIKEN and the exclusive rights for the commercial use of the RIKEN full-length cDNA collection from mouse. Dnaform can provide a wide range of products and services based on these technologies. Besides using its technology in its own research and development programs, Dnaform offers Research Collaborations to other companies for helping them to achieve their goals.

About Riken
Riken was first founded in 1917 as a private research foundation known as "RIKEN". In 2003, it was reorganized as an Independent Administrative Institution under the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, since when it has engaged in wide-ranging research activities that span basic to applied science. The objectives of RIKEN are to conduct comprehensive research in science and technology (excluding only humanities and social sciences) under the "RIKEN Law", and to disseminate the results of its scientific research and technological developments. RIKEN carries out high level experimental and research work in a wide range of fields, including physics, chemistry, medical science, biology, and engineering extending from basic research to practical application.