Genomatix gets Patent for Comparative Genomics Method
Identification and assignment of functionally corresponding regulatory sequences throughout different eukaryotic genomes
Genomatix Software announced that it was issued patent No. EP 1 800 232 B1, “Identification and assignment of functionally corresponding regulatory sequences for orthologous loci in eukaryotic genomes” by the European Patent Office.
The Patent relates to a method for identification of networks of functionally related regulatory DNA sequences in different eukaryotic species. With today’s high throughput sequencing technology data from an increasing number of various organisms become available. However, the genomic sequence does not reveal scientific insight in the functional organization of the genome. For such the genome needs to be annotated (e.g. location of genes, promoters, genomic repeats etc.). Annotation of regulatory sequences like promoters and enhancers is a special challenge which is not satisfactory solved until today. The patent describes a method using a defined transcriptional start side from a well annotated genome (like human) as an anchor to identify corresponding regulatory regions in the orthologuous areas of less defined species. Results have been proven to be of extremely high quality. Genomatix applies this method in its genomic database ElDorado since several years now and numerous such predicted promoters have been verified experimentally in the meantime.
Other news from the department research and development
