ATLAS Biolabs participates in two European research projects to investigate DNA repair and cellular aging

Berlin, October 10, 2012 – ATLAS Biolabs announces its participation in two European research projects focusing on the impact of chromatin dynamics on DNA damage (aDDRess) and the influence of DNA damage on cellular aging (CodeAge). ATLAS Biolabs, a leading provider of complex analyses in molecular genetics, including microarray-based genomic services, targeted sequence capture, next-generation sequencing (NGS) and high-level bioinformatics, will be responsible for the analysis of the NGS data collected in both projects. This task also includes the development of new strategies and bioinformatics tools for NGS data analysis and the identification of biomarkers of DNA damage.

The DNA in the nuclei of eukaryotic cells is tightly wrapped around histones to form chromatin, a structure subject to constant dynamic changes in the course of DNA replication and DNA repair. In particular, a better understanding of chromatin dynamics in DNA repair would provide novel insights into the mechanisms by which the cell protects itself from DNA damage and the disturbances that cause human disease. Moreover, by investigating the cellular responses triggered by DNA damage, it would be possible find new approaches for preventive therapies and elucidate the process of aging.

Both the aDDRess and CodeAge projects receive funding from the FP7 Marie Curie Initial Training Network of the European Union. The Training Network opens up career opportunities for young talents and aims to accelerate the transfer of research findings into medical applications by encouraging research collaborations between academic institutions and medium-sized commercial enterprises. The two projects involve a total of 22 research groups in 9 different European countries.

„aDDRess and CodeAge will combine state-of-the-art knowledge in basic molecular genetics, omics technologies, translational research and clinical application. We are excited about contributing to the analysis of NGS data within both projects,“ said Professor Peter Nürnberg, CEO of ATLAS Biolabs GmbH. „I am convinced that our customers will benefit from the added competencies that we will gather from this program.“

The European research projects aDDRess and CodeAge

aDDRess (chromatin dynamics on the DNA damage response) and CodeAge (Chronic DNA damage in Ageing) are being funded for four years by the Marie Curie Initial Training Networks within the European FP7 program. The Marie Curie Initial Training Networks are open to young researchers who want to gain experience abroad in the private sector, and to complete their training by participating in a joint European research project.

ATLAS Biolabs GmbH is a leading provider of complex analyses in molecular genetics, including microarray-based genomic services, targeted sequence capture and next-generation sequencing in Europe. The company provides access to the DNA chip and sequencing platforms of all leading enterprises in this field (Affymetrix, Agilent, Illumina Life Technologies and Roche NimbleGen) and is a certified Affymetrix, Agilent and Roche NimbleGen service provider. Based in Germany, ATLAS Biolabs started its business operations in August 2007. Its production processes are subject to rigorous quality control at all stages according to the ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 13485:2003 international standards. Customers of ATLAS Biolabs include academic institutions, pharmaceutical and biotechnological enterprises, clinicians and registered physicians both in Germany and abroad. For more information, please go to www.atlas-biolabs.com.

Kontakt:
ATLAS Biolabs GmbH
Dr. Karsten Heidtke
Friedrichstr. 147
10117 Berlin
+49 (0) 30/3 19 89 66-0
customer-support@atlas-biolabs.de
http://www.atlas-biolabs.com

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