January 24, 2008
(Bothell, WA) Blue Heron announced today that they were the primary supplier of synthetic DNA to the Venter Institute in their creation of the 582,970 base-pair genome of the bacterium Mycoplasma genitalium, published online today in the journal Science.
"We are very pleased that the Venter Institute selected Blue Heron to provide over 80% of the synthetic material used in this extraordinary synthetic biology accomplishment," said John Fess, Blue Heron's CEO.
Blue Heron was selected to play this key role because of their extensive expertise synthesizing the most difficult DNA constructs and their manufacturing capacity. Blue Heron provided 84 of the 101 synthetic DNA cassettes used in the project, representing over one-half million base-pairs of material. Of these 84 constructs, a few difficult cases required Blue Heron to develop new, innovative, approaches to synthesis. "Even with these challenges, we were able to deliver 100% of what the Venter Institute asked us to produce," Fess added. "Pioneering efforts in synthetic biology require pioneering efforts in gene synthesis and Blue Heron is the leader in bringing this key enabling technology to the full range of synthetic biology research."
Since its founding in 1999, Blue Heron has been the leader in creating new technologies and new approaches to synthesis in order to support the growing demands of researchers in synthetic biology, including delivering the longest commercial synthetic fragment - 52,000 base pairs - to date.
About Blue Heron Biotechnology
Blue Heron Biotechnology, a pioneer and leader in the gene synthesis market, producing nearly ten million base pairs of DNA since its inception in 1999. Blue Heron Bio regularly produces simple to complex DNA sequences from less than 100 base pairs to over 20,000 base pairs, serving hundreds of life science researchers including 17 of the 20 top pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies in the world. Blue Heron Bio's proprietary GeneMaker® technology provides customers access to complex DNA sequences that are difficult or impossible to synthesize with other companies' standard processes. Customers choose Blue Heron for their unmatched reliability, customer service, the strength of their technology and their record of success. For more information, visit <www.blueheronbio.com>
Safe Harbor Statement
Certain statements contained in this press release are considered "forward-looking statements" withthe meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and it is Invitrogen's intent that such statements be protected by the safe harbor created thereby. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to 1) researchers worldwide are increasingly turning to synthetic genes as a convenient, cost-effective alternative for traditional cloning; 2) with new technologies that allow the economical production of synthetic genes, researchers can expand the possibilities of science; 3) our customers will explore those possibilities with the best synthetic genetics technologies and the most highly regarded cloning and expression platforms available commercially; 4) this relationship creates unique opportunities to serve the needs of the research community. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, a) GeneMaker® platform may or may not synthesize gene sequences with perfect accuracy; the risks that the market will not accept the companies products and services, or that the companies will be unsuccessful in their efforts to develop new products and services, as well as other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in Invitrogen's Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
Media Contacts
Blue Heron Biotechnology:
Dorene Farnham, (425) 368-4034, farnham@blueheronbio.com