BioNanomatrix, Inc.,
a developer of breakthrough whole genome imaging and analysis platforms for
biomedical research, molecular diagnostics and personalized medicine, today
announced that its low-cost nanofluidic genome analysis technology, along with
founder and chief scientific officer Han Cao, Ph.D., has been included in Technology
Review magazine's 2009 list of 10 emerging technologies ("the TR10")
that will change the way we live and do business. The revolutionary innovations
included in this year's TR10-each represented by a researcher whose vision and
work leads the field-promise fundamental shifts in areas from energy to health
care, computing to communications.
BioNanomatrix is applying its expertise in nanochips, nanodevices and nanosystems
to develop its proprietary technology providing comprehensive analysis of genomic
and epigenomic information with sensitivity at the single-molecule level. Among
its current development efforts is a five-year federally funded project to sequence
the human genome in eight hours at a cost of $100.
"We are thrilled that the transformative potential of our nanoscale whole
genome analysis technology has been recognized by our inclusion in the 2009
TR10," said Michael Boyce-Jacino, Ph.D., chief executive officer of BioNanomatrix.
"By dramatically decreasing the time and cost needed to obtain very accurate
and highly informative genomic information, we believe our technology has the
potential to greatly increase the utility of genomic data for a wide range of
medical and research applications. We also want to acknowledge our scientific
colleagues at the NIH and Princeton University and our business partners and
investors who are helping to make this vision a reality."
BioNanomatrix's pioneering technology enables nanoscale identification and
analysis of the genome, delivering single-molecule sensitivity in a massively
parallel format. It can uniquely isolate and image very long strands of completely
linearized DNA molecules in a dynamic flow, making it possible to survey the
genome in its native state, in context and at ultra-high resolution, without
the need for DNA amplification. Key to this revolutionary technology is BioNanomatrix's
patented nanochannels--tiny nanoscale channels incorporated in a nanofluidics
device that separates and directs vast amounts of genetic information. The design
of the nanochip makes it possible to conduct millions of these genetic analyses
simultaneously. The technology's ability to image very long individual strands
of DNA is also expected to facilitate such important analyses as structural
variations, copy number variations and complex de novo and cancer genomic analyses.
"The annual TR10 spotlights the emerging technologies we find most exciting.
These are the innovations most likely to alter industries, fields of research,
and even the way we live and work," said Jason Pontin, editor-in-chief
and publisher of Technology Review magazine. "We celebrate the innovators
making these accomplishments possible and look forward to their continued advancement
within their respective fields."
The 2009 TR10 will be presented during a dedicated session at the inaugural
EMTech India conference. BioNanomatrix's technology is featured along with the
complete TR10 list in the March/April edition of Technology Review. Information
about the 2009 TR10, including BioNanomatrix, is posted on the Web at www.technologyreview.com/specialreports/TR10.