Geospiza Announces a Collaboration with Bio-Rad To Develop A Cloning And Sequencing Explorer Series For The Classroom
SEATTLE, WA – May 15, 2008 – Geospiza, Inc., a leading developer of enterprise-class software systems for workflow management of genetic analysis, today announced a collaboration with Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. to develop a complete Cloning and Sequencing Explorer Series for the classroom.
The “Explorer” series combines Bio-Rad’s strength in developing wet-lab instruction tools offered as part of its Biotechnology Explorer™ program with Geospiza’s expertise in bioinformatics. Bioinformatics combines the use of software and databases to organize and analyze large amounts of biological information. Geospiza has adapted iFinch™, its state-of-the-art web-based research tool and database for genetic analysis, to serve the needs of educators and students. Working with the Explorer series, students are able to clone novel genes in the laboratory and then discover exactly what they cloned with the help of iFinch.
Students who work with the Explorer series will learn how to conduct authentic research as they generate novel data that may benefit the scientific community through the student’s submission of their work to the GenBank database at the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). GenBank is a repository for publicly available DNA sequences. It is used daily by researchers throughout the world.
About iFinch for Education
iFinch gives students access to the latest tools in bioinformatics data mining. Students are guided through a series of activities. For example, they can view and edit the original chromatograms of their sequences, screen out vector sequences, confirm their sequences, and perform NCBI BLAST searches with their data to identify and find related sequences direct from iFinch. In addition, they can assemble their forward and reverse sequences into contigs, predict intron and exon structure, translate the sequence and compare it to known gene, mRNA, and protein sequences.
About Geospiza
Since 1997, Geospiza, Inc. products have been known around the globe for high quality, reliable software that helps customers manage genetic data and further their goals in DNA diagnostics, research, and running laboratory-based businesses. Used by researchers, laboratories and core facilities in universities, government, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical companies, Geospiza’s software systems have established an international reputation for usability and performance. You can find more information on Geospiza and its products at www.geospiza.com.
About Bio-Rad
Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (AMEX: BIO and BIOb) has remained at the center of scientific discovery for more than 50 years manufacturing and distributing a broad range of products for the life science research and clinical diagnostics markets. The company is renowned worldwide among hospitals, universities, major research institutions, as well as biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies for its commitment to quality and customer service. Founded in 1952, Bio-Rad is headquartered in Hercules, California, and serves more than 85,000 research and industry customers worldwide through its global network of operations. The company employs over 6,300 people globally and had revenues approaching $1.5 billion in 2007. For more information, visit www.bio-rad.com.
