Pigs to Be Genotyped to Improve Selection and Breeding for Pancreatic Islet Cel...( Cutting-edge DNA testing technology p...)

Cutting-edge DNA testing technology provided by GeneSeek Inc.

LINCOLN, Neb., Feb. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- A privately held biotechnology company, will be used for medical-grade source pigs which are being developed by Spring Point Project, a Minnesota non-profit organization providing pig islet cells for transplantation to cure diabetes. With this technology, GeneSeek, a certified Illumina CSPro laboratory and global leader in contractual high-throughput genotyping, will help Spring Point Project and the Schulze Diabetes Institute of the University of Minnesota identify pigs that are naturally superior donors of pancreatic islet tissue for diabetes cure.

GeneSeek will take samples from Spring Point Project's pigs to genotype for over 60,000 DNA markers using the new Infinium HD Porcine SNP60 Bead Chip from Illumina, Inc. (San Diego, CA). This will provide Spring Point Project with high quality DNA information to link DNA profiles with characteristics of islet tissue. The information will help Spring Point Project supply the optimum islets for transplantation.

"We are thrilled to donate our genotyping services in support of Spring Point Project's charitable efforts to improve care and find a cure for type 1 diabetes," says Daniel Pomp, PhD, co-founder and Chief Science Officer of GeneSeek. "We are very impressed by the synergistic nexus between agricultural and biomedical research represented by Spring Point Project and are excited to help them apply state-of-the-art genomic tools to advance their important work."

Spring Point Project operates a biosecure facility, known as the Diabetes Research and Wellness Foundation (DRWF) Islet Resource Facility, where high-health, 'medical-grade' source pig donors are produced. The Schulze Diabetes Institute at the University of Minnesota works in partnership with Spring Point Project by conducting the preclinical and clinical trials. In
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