febit First to Offer Newly Published Mouse Genome on a Chip for DNA/RNA Detection...

febit First to Offer Newly Published Mouse Genome on a Chip for DNA/RNA
Detection and Enrichment

febit Technology Enables the Conversion of New Sequence Data into Biochips for
Gene Expression Profiling and Sequence Capture for Next-Generation Sequencing
Within Days

LEXINGTON, Mass. and HEIDELBERG, Germany, June 29 /PRNewswire/ -- febit
holding gmbh announced today the launch of the first biochip on the market
covering the newly published whole mouse genome. The biochip from febit
enables up-to-date profiling and enrichment of genes and SNPs of interest
using Gene Expression Profiling, SNP-Detection, ncRNA analysis as well as
targeted enrichment of genes for Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS).

Professor Christian Koerner from the University Hospital for Pediatrics in
Heidelberg (Germany) and customer of febit's new mouse biochip, said: "It will
be helpful and an advance for our research to use a whole genome microarray
based on the most recent data available which have been published only weeks
ago. This array allows the performance of a microarray expression profiling as
well as a targeted Next-Generation Sequencing at the current state of the
art."

In the near future, Next-Generation Sequencing technologies will lead to a
rising number of completed genomes of model organisms and other species of
interest, as demonstrated by the updated mouse genome. This accelerated
development will generate a variety of tools available in the short term for
the application of the new data into experiments. febit's Geniom(R) Technology
represents the most efficient option for transforming digital genetic sequence
information directly into a fully-applicable microarray and sequence capture
biochip. The microfluidic biochips and flexible probe synthesis guarantee
instant access to the latest sequence updates within only days after
publication or request.

New mouse genome assembly
The mouse (mus musculus) is the most important and well-established model for
the study of human disease and mammalian development. At the end of May 2009,
D.M. Church et al. published in the journal PLoS Biology a complete,
high-quality genome assembly that contains over 139 Mb more of novel sequence
compared to previously available mouse genome drafts. This brand-new, finished
mouse genome, which is now available on febit's microarrays, closes more than
175,000 gaps, completes the list of protein-coding genes to a number of 20,210
and identifies 439 long, non-coding RNAs. Thus, a complete analysis of
protein gene expression, microRNA profiles and expression patterns of long
non-coding RNAs is possible and can reveal many previously hidden secrets of
mammalian biology and disease processes.

Flexibel technology for fast-paced research
febit's Geniom Technology provides turnkey solutions with established
protocols and streamlined workflows, enabling all major RNA profiling
applications as well as targeted Next-Generation Sequencing. HybSelect,
sequence-specific DNA enrichment is enabled through hybridization and elution
of high-value target regions by utilizing febit's flexible Geniom Biochips.
The enriched DNA is ideally suited for cost-effective targeted sequencing on
Next-Generation Sequencing platforms. With its new HybSelect Biochip for the
mouse genome, febit complements its offering for up-to-date sequence analyses
in the field of mammalian research. Biochips for other models will follow as
soon as the appropriate sequence analyses are completed. febit biochips are
available for analysis at the Geniom RT Analyzer or as a full service from
febit.

About febit
febit develops, produces and markets flexible automated solutions for enabling
biochip applications in Life Sciences. febit's product portfolio includes
various instruments, optimized assays and bioanalytical services, complemented
by bioinformatics software and consulting.

For its main applications - HybSelect, febit's innovative DNA capture method
for Next-Generation-Sequencing and protein-coding or non-coding transcriptome
profiling - the highly advanced microfluidics of the patented Geniom Biochip
offers the highest degree of automation, flexibility and efficiency available.

For more information, please visit www.febit.com.

Contact:
febit group, Eva Sterzel, eva.sterzel@febit .com, +49 (0)6221 6510-300

Russo Partners, Martina Schwarzkopf,
martina.schwarzkopf@russopartnersllc.com, +1 212 845-4292

SOURCE febit

Eva Sterzel of febit group, +49(0)6221-6510-300, eva.sterzel@febit.com; or
Martina Schwarzkopf of Russo Partners, +1-212-845-4292,
martina.schwarzkopf@russopartnersllc.com