Paradigm Genetics licenses Biolog's Phenotype Microarray technology for phenomics studies

First corporate research partner for Biolog's novel cell-based analysis tool

Biolog Inc. (Hayward, CA), a provider of tools for cell-based analysis, has signed its first major licensing agreement with Paradigm Genetics. Under this collaborative license, Biolog's new Phenotype MicroArray (PM) technology will be used to help Paradigm determine gene function in agriculturally important fungal species.

Under the terms of the multi-year agreement, Paradigm will have nonexclusive rights to use the PM products. In support of the agreement, Biolog has delivered to Paradigm both Phenotype MicroArrays and its new high-throughput automated system, the OmniLog PM System. This agreement represents Biolog's first research partnership based on the use of its PM technology in the emerging field of phenomics—the study of phenotypes as a means of understanding how a gene or drug affects living cells.

Biolog's Phenotype MicroArray turns the more familiar DNA microarray paradigm on its head. Rather than providing information on large numbers of genes under one condition, Phenotype MicroArrays look at the activity of a single gene under a large number of conditions. Designed to score thousands of phenotypes simultaneously in a high-throughput format, Phenotype MicroArrays have been developed for use with bacteria and fungi, and the company will soon begin development of PMs to analyze genes and other functions in human cells.

The patented method involves comparing two cell lines, one of which has a gene of interest inactivated by mutation. The control and mutated cell lines are compared in parallel Phenotype MicroArrays, which test simultaneously the behavior of cells under thousands of physiological conditions. With this system, it is possible to assess the functioning of various cell systems, including ion transport, nutrient catabolism and biosynthesis, cell architecture, and repair functions, to name but a few. The system permits direct observation of how the cellular phenotype has changed as a consequence of the loss of gene activity by overlaying the activity in control cells with the activity seen in mutated cells. In addition, if a gene has many functions in the cell, the PM technology will pick that up as changes in multiple phenotype assays.

An example of Phenotype MicroArray analysis, in this case comparing pathogenic vs. non-pathogenic E. coli strains.

"We are pleased with our collaboration with Biolog scientists and the results we've obtained together using Biolog's Phenotype MicroArray technology customized to meet Paradigm's needs. It is one in a series of assays that we use to do phenotypic profiling. It should accelerate progress in our microbial research program," said John Hamer, vice president of research and development at Paradigm Genetics.

According to Tim Mullane, president of Biolog, "We welcome the opportunity to work with Paradigm as our first partner for our PM technology. Their results demonstrate the basic utility of the technology, which may be used in agricultural research, and drug discovery and development.

"We believe our PM technology is a major new platform for biological analysis. Just as DNA microarray technology allows for the simultaneous measurement of expression levels of thousands of genes, Biolog's Phenotype MicroArray technology allows for the simultaneous quantitative measurement of thousands of cell phenotypes. By providing a vast amount of information about gene function in a short time, we expect that PMs will play a major role in the current race to determine gene function in model cell lines."

In addition to functional genomics, the phenotypic analysis provided by Biolog's PM technology can be valuable in determining a drug candidate's effect on a model cell line and in conducting a number of comparative studies, including: pathogenic versus non-pathogenic microorganisms in target development; bacterial, fungal, or insect pathogens versus their hosts; virus-infected versus virus-free cells; and diseased versus healthy cells.

Paradigm Genetics is industrializing the process of gene function discovery with its GeneFunction Factory—an integrated, rapid, industrial-scale laboratory based on a state-of-the-art phenomics platform integrated with metabolic profiling and gene expression profiling technologies. The backbone of the GeneFunction Factory is the company's FunctionFinder bioinformatics system, used to collect, store, analyze, and retrieve information.

Biolog develops new cellular analysis tools for solving critical problems in pharmaceutical and biotechnology research and development. The company has recently launched its Phenotype MicroArray technology and OmniLog PM System for such applications as determining gene function, validating and optimizing drug targets, and assessing cellular toxicology.

For more information: Biolog Inc., 3938 Trust Way, Hayward, CA 94545. Tel: 510-785-2564.

Edited by Laura DeFrancesco
Managing Editor, Bioresearch Online
ldefrancesco@bioresearchonline.com