DNA Link to provide NimbleGen Sequence Capture service in Korea

Roche NimbleGen, a Roche Company (SWX:RO) (SWX:ROG) (Pink Sheets: RHHBY), has announced the first Certified Service Provider (CSP), DNA Link, Inc., who will provide service in Korea for NimbleGen Titanium Optimized Sequence Capture coupled with services from 454 Life Sciences, Roche´s center of excellence for sequencing. After passing rigorous certification procedures to achieve precise experimental standards, the Seoul-based genomic services provider DNA Link, Inc. has officially achieved Roche NimbleGen Certified Service Provider Program status and qualification. DNA Link’s certification marks the first genomic service provider to join the global Roche NimbleGen CSP Program. Their status as a CSP involves processing Korean customer gDNA samples for genomic enrichment using the complete NimbleGen Sequence Capture workflow optimized for 454 Titanium sequencing using 385K Arrays (capture up to 5 Mb custom regions). DNA Link’s commitment to quality already includes ISO 9001 and KS A ISO/IEC 17025:2006 certification.

The service expertise of DNA Link spans microarrays and next-generation sequencing, as well as personal genomics. DNA Link is an emerging leader in medical genetics research that is focused on establishing strong alliances with major hospitals to perform research on the genetic basis of common diseases. Included in these important studies, DNA Link has been selected by the Korean NIH as the genotyping service provider for the Korean Association Resource (KARE) project, which is the largest GWAS project in Korea for 2007, 2008, and 2009. DNA Link has also operated the DNAChip Center in collaboration with five Disease Genome Research Centers, who are being funded by the Korean Government, whose aim is to develop diagnostic markers for common diseases.

“We’re pleased to add the NimbleGen Sequence Capture service to our services portfolio,” said Dr. Jong E. Lee, CEO of DNA Link, Inc. “Targeted region sequencing using Sequence Capture technology could be the fine mapping study after the GWAS projects. We expect that it will accelerate the development of biomarkers related with diseases.

“Roche NimbleGen welcomes DNA Link, Inc. as our first certified service provider globally for Sequence Capture technology. We anticipate that our relationship with DNA Link, Inc. will accelerate the discovery of diagnostic markers by Korean researchers and put Roche Applied Science at the leading edge of personalized healthcare solutions through the use of NimbleGen arrays," said Dr. Gerd Maass, CEO of Roche NimbleGen, Inc.