Bio-Rad's WorksBase™ 1.1 is the first fully integrated proteomic informatics software platform

HERCULES, CA, March 4, 2003– Bio-Rad Laboratories Life Science Group announces the release of WorksBase version 1.1, the first software platform to seamlessly integrate gel-based 2-D protein analysis across the full depth and breadth of the typical laboratory workflow, from sample characterization through protein identification.

"This culminates over two years of effort to create a system that takes data integration far beyond the conventional linking of files," explains Ali Pervez, Bio-Rad Senior Product Manager, Software and Bioinformatics Business Unit, Imaging Products Division. "We call it 'relational informatics' because WorksBase 1.1 now lets researchers easily drill deeply through heterogeneous data in any part of the proteomics workflow to quickly obtain meaningful biological results".

For example, WorksBase features a powerful Sample Tracking Tool that characterizes sample sources by: species, phylogeny, family, growing conditions for plants and cultures, individual history for human and animal samples, and categorization of genetic traits by lineage, breed and population. Users can easily access this information and also quickly view their experimental results in the context of projects and experiments, in a simple drag-and-drop environment throughout the workflow.

Another major advantage of WorksBase is full image integration, facilitating image analysis and expression modeling. The new software package works seamlessly with PDQuest™ 2-D analysis software. This allows in-depth interaction between the WorksBase database and the sophisticated, automated 2-D differential analysis program. Researchers can now, for example, click on a spot in PDQuest to automatically launch a WorksBase window displaying the protein identification, sequence information, and mass spectrum.

WorksBase is the only proteomics softeware package that integrates the spot cutting function, speeding recovery and characterization of proteins across multiple gels.

WorksBase contains a comprehensive LIMS (laboratory information management system) for proteomics, but its functionality goes far beyond those of conventional LIMS. LIMS are typically limited to handling the front end of proteomic investigation, mainly involving collection of raw data from instruments.  WorksBase provides unprecedented integration of the complete gel-based proteomics discovery process, to help researchers interpret as well as generate data.

WorksBase is the informatics hub of Bio-Rad’s ProteomeWorks™ system, the integrated family of tools and technologies developed to increase the speed and ease of isolating and identifying differentially expressed proteins. WorksBase data integration capabilities capture detail and results from all stages of the proteomic workflow: sample preparation, protein pre-fractionation /separation, 2-D electrophoresis, staining and running standards, imaging, image analysis, protein excision, protein digestion, MALDI and MS/MS mass spectrometry, and global bioinformatics.

As the backbone of the ProteomeWorks system, WorksBase automatically incorporates data from integrated Bio-Rad and Micromass MS Technologies (a division of Waters Corp.) systems, with no file transport or data conversion required. WorksBase also imports MS protein identifications and associated data directly from Mascot software (Matrix Science, Ltd.). From laboratory notebook through bioinformatic analysis, WorksBase provides realtime access to data as it is collected.

WorksBase is built on an enterprise database foundation, and its architecture allows for the integration, classification, tracking, and archiving of data generated throughout the proteomic workflow. The software is flexible and scalable, so laboratories won't outgrow it. Bio-Rad can also customize WorksBase for integration to new hardware and software platforms or connection to new reference databases. Pervez explains,  "The software is designed to evolve in a modular fashion to meet future laboratory data management needs."

WorksBase 1.1 integrates with the industry standard Oracle9i database, and provides import  utilities for Swiss-Prot, TrEMBL and NCBI databases and FASTA-formatted sequence files.  WorksBase features a comprehensive data warehouse design that is scalable to meet researchers’ needs.

The ProteomeWorks system is the global alliance between Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (USA) and Micromass MS Technologies (a division of Waters Corp.)) dedicated to furthering proteomic research.

Bio-Rad Laboratories is a qualified IBM Life Sciences' Devices and Diagnostics Business Partner. The  partnership provides integrated solutions that include  high performance computing and storage products that have been sized specifically for WorksBase software and meet the demanding needs of the proteomic workflow. Configurations are available for small, medium and large scale proteomics labs.

Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (www.bio-rad.com) is a multinational manufacturer and distributor of life science research products and  clinical diagnostics. The company is based in Hercules, California, and serves more than 70,000 research and industry customers worldwide through a network of more than 30 wholly owned subsidiary offices. For more information call 800-424-6723 (800-4BIO-RAD) or visit the company on the web at www.discover.bio-rad.com . 

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Editorial Contact:                                                Please send reader inquiries directly to:

Ali Pervez. Senior Product Manager                       Debbie Schantz

Imaging Products Division                         Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.

Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.                              2000 Alfred Nobel Drive

Phone: (510) 741-6451                                              Hercules, Ca USA 94547

e-mail: ali_pervez@bio-rad.com                        e-mail: debbie_schantz@bio-rad.com