GeneData
AG (Switzerland) has entered into a licensing agreement with
Zeneca Agrochemicals (UK) to use GD ExpressionistTM, a software system
for the analysis of data from gene expression arrays, in its genomics
research. GD ExpressionistTM will be employed to support the
development of crop protection products for the control of the
principal weeds, pests and diseases affecting major crops. GeneData
will also modify and further enhance the software to meet the specific
needs of Zeneca.
Dr Ian Jepson, Head of
BioSciences at Zeneca said: "Our collaboration with GeneData will
allow us to apply large-scale gene expression profiling to accelerate
the identification of both potential targets of novel pesticides, and
new genes of value to global crop production and the provision of
healthy food. GD ExpressionistTM enables us to handle and analyse
efficiently substantial amount of experimental data, and forms a key
element of our genomics strategy."
GeneData's CEO, Dr
Othmar Pfannes, adds: "Our close partnership with Zeneca allows
us to stay at the cutting edge of scientific research in the
agrobiological field. A prerequisite for our strategy of providing
tailored bioinformatics solutions for a wide-range of industrial
research applications is keeping track of the breath-taking advances
in genomics and proteomics research."
GD ExpressionistTM is
an enterprise-wide computational system for the analysis of gene
activity. GD ExpressionistTM is part of GeneData's bioinformatics
platform which also comprises GD PhylosopherTM, a computational system
for the identification of gene function based on large scale genome
comparison, and GD ImpressionistTM for the large-scale analysis of
proteomics data.
GeneData, a
privately-held Swiss bioinformatics company, specializes in the
computational analysis of genomes, transcriptomes, proteomes, and
metabolomes with a focus on applications in the life science industry.
The company is a leading provider of high-volume data storage and
high-throughput analysis software for functional genomics research.
GeneData offers customized software and database development as well
as consulting services. GeneData's solutions empower scientists to
extract relevant information from large, complex biological data
generated by today's high-throughput technologies. GeneData's
customers include leading life-science companies such as Aventis,
Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Byk Gulden, MediGene, Novartis, Schering,
and Zeneca Agrochemicals.
