DNA Software Awarded NIH Grant to Improve
Probe and Primer Specificity
Ann Arbor, Michigan - September 29, 2006 – DNA Software has been awarded a fast track grant by the National
Institute of Health (NIH) to develop a cutting-edge software prototype, called
ThermoBLAST.
ThermoBLAST is a revolutionary new tool that
combines the accuracy of DNA Software's proprietary OMP Nearest Neighbor model
with the speed and breadth of the BLAST algorithm to produce a fast yet
exhaustive method for genome scale searches. ThermoBLAST will be integrated
into DNA Software’s OMP (Oligonucleotide Modeling Platform) software resulting
in automated design of more specific probes and primers that can be designed
more quickly and more economically. ThermoBLAST will allow scientists to
develop better assays, while saving time and money.
ThermoBLAST will make a major positive contribution to the work of public
and private researchers worldwide. Scientists who are designing DNA tests to
identify or discover the function of important, disease related genes will be
able to “test their tests” in a computer, without having to go through the
lengthy lab testing process for each assay. The most difficult DNA-based tests
are also the most important. There are very small differences between the
genetic code of deadly pathogens and harmless microorganisms. ThermoBLAST will
greatly improve the ability of scientists to design DNA probes that yield consistent conclusive results, and avoid costly false negatives and positives.
This fast track grant, entitled “Development of ThermoBLAST: Improving
the Specificity of Probes and Primers,” is scheduled from September 29, 2006 to
April 30, 2008.
About DNA Software, Inc.
DNA Software, Inc. combines science and software to
enable industrial genomics through advances in technologies based on nucleic
acids. The company’s first software platform, OMP (Oligonucleotide Modeling
Platform,) models in silico the folding and hybridization of
single-stranded nucleic acids with great accuracy. The company combines OMP
with scientific consulting, custom software development, and custom laboratory
research to deliver state-of-the-art support for designing and developing of
nucleic acid based technologies. For more information on DNA Software, Inc.,
visit our web site at http://www.dnasoftware.com.
CONTACT:
DNA Software, Inc.
204 East Washington Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Office: +1 (734) 222-9080
Toll-Free: +1 (877) 362-7638
Fax: +1 (734) 222-9087
Email: info@dna-software.com
