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LifeMap Sciences Releases GeneCards Version 3.09Nov 26, 2012 (Close-Up Media via COMTEX) -- LifeMap Sciences, Inc., a subsidiary of BioTime, Inc., announced the release of GeneCards, Version 3.09. The Company reported that GeneCards is an online database that provides genomic information on all known and predicted human genes. The recent GeneCards release greatly enhances the representation of non-protein coding RNA genes based, among other sources, on the ENCODE Project, an international collaborative effort to identify all functional elements in the human genome sequence. GeneCards was developed, and is continuously enhanced by ongoing research, by the bioinformatics team at the Department of Molecular Genetics at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel, with principal investigator Professor Doron Lancet, head of the Crown Human Genome Center, and team leader Marilyn Safran. LifeMap Sciences said the new GeneCards release includes more than 122,000 gene entries. One of the important enhancements is the revamped normal tissue gene expression section, which now shows images for 16 tissues based on RNA-seq data of the Illumina BodyMap project, as well as a greatly enhanced number of 80 tissues from BioGPS. Another key enrichment is expression data in an anatomical and embryonic developmental context, obtained from LifeMap Discovery, the database of embryonic development, stem-cell research and regenerative medicine. Also included are improved functionality for non-coding RNA genes (multi-source overlap graphics, subcategories, and quality scores) gene-associated diseases from MalaCards (malacards.org), pathways from new sources and new gene-related research reagents. "The significantly upscaled gene expression and non-coding RNA sectors, as well as the new strong links to MalaCards and LifeMap Discovery, are parts of our long-term research strategy, and bring new discovery strength to GeneCards," said Professor Doron Lancet, Ph.D., The Ralph D. and Lois R. Silver Professor of Human Genomics, at the Weizmann Institute of Science. "Providing anatomical and developmental context, enriching disease related information, and improving our gene expression data in GeneCards are big steps forward for our platform," said Yaron Guan-Golan, Head of Marketing at LifeMap Sciences. "We are delighted to see the continued improvement of GeneCards' features and content, the establishment of MalaCards, and the inclusion of novel data from our upcoming LifeMap Discovery database. The synergies between GeneCards, MalaCards and LifeMap Discovery will significantly enhance basic research, and contribute greatly to the discovery and development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic products and technologies." LifeMap Sciences' core technology and business is based on its integrated database suite, the discovery platform for biomedical and stem-cell research. BioTime, headquartered in Alameda, California, is a biotechnology company focusing on regenerative medicine and blood plasma volume expanders. More information: www.lifemapsc.com www.biotimeinc.com ((Comments on this story may be sent to [email protected])) |