MENLO PARK, Calif., Jan. 5, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pacific Biosciences of California, Inc., (Nasdaq:PACB) provider of the PacBio® RS II Sequencing System, today announced its participation in the International Plant & Animal Genome (PAG) XXIII Conference taking place in San Diego from January 10-14. More than 50 researchers from around the world will be presenting their work, many representing large consortium efforts, using Single Molecule, Real-Time (SMRT®) Sequencing to assemble de novo and/or analyze complex genomes from a variety of plants and animals.
The company will hold a workshop on January 13 from 1:30-3:30 p.m. where current PacBio customers from the Arabica Coffee Genome Consortium, Keygene and the USDA will present SMRT Sequencing results on their genome projects for coffee, cotton, and goat, respectively. The winner of last year's "The Most Interesting Genome in the World" grant program, Dr. Robert VanBuren from Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, will also present his data on the Oropeitum thomaeum (Oro) genome, a grass that can tolerate extreme desiccation and regrow once water is again available and which could provide important insights into mechanisms that can potentially improve drought resistance in crops.
"The Most Interesting Genome in the World" grant program will again be held at this year's conference, providing the opportunity for researchers to submit their proposal to have their genome of interest sequenced on the PacBio RS II. Co-sponsors of the program include Sage Science, Computomics, and the Arizona Genomics Institute. More details are available at: www.pacb.com/smrtgrant.
"Overall, we have seen tremendous progress from researchers working with larger, more complex genomes in the plant and animal space and are pleased to see more than 50 presentations using SMRT Sequencing on the agenda." said Kevin Corcoran, Senior Vice President, Market Development for Pacific Biosciences. "Since last year's PAG meeting, many more customers have taken advantage of our Iso-Seq™ application for full-length transcript sequencing and together we are looking forward to sharing more about the advantages of this approach for discovering novel genes and gene isoforms."
About the PacBio RS II and SMRT Sequencing
Pacific Biosciences' SMRT Sequencing technology achieves the industry's longest read lengths, highest consensus accuracy, and the least degree of bias. These characteristics, combined with the ability to detect many types of DNA base modifications (e.g., methylation) as part of the sequencing process, make the PacBio RS II an essential tool for many scientists studying genetic and genomic variation. The PacBio platform provides a sequencing solution that can address a growing number of complex medical, agricultural, and industrial problems.
About Pacific Biosciences
Pacific Biosciences of California, Inc. (Nasdaq:PACB) offers the PacBio RS II DNA Sequencing System to help scientists solve genetically complex problems. Based on its novel Single Molecule, Real-Time (SMRT) technology, the company's products enable: targeted sequencing to more comprehensively characterize genetic variations; de novo genome assembly to more fully identify, annotate, and decipher genomic structures; and DNA base modification identification to help characterize epigenetic regulation and DNA damage. By providing access to information that was previously inaccessible, Pacific Biosciences enables scientists to increase their understanding of biological systems. More information is available at www.pacb.com