Released on = May 10, 2006, 1:27 pm

Press Release Author = Chris Hebel

Industry = Biotech

Press Release Summary = LC Sciences announced today that the probe content of its
line of standard and custom micoRNA microarrays used in their comprehensive
expression profiling service would keep pace with the latest version (Release 8.1)
of the Sanger miRBase sequence database and that microarrays containing the new
sequences are already available.

Press Release Body = Houston, TX - May 9, 2006 - LC Sciences announced today that
the probe content of its line of standard and custom micoRNA microarrays used in
their comprehensive expression profiling service would keep pace with the latest
version (Release 8.1) of the Sanger miRBase sequence database and that microarrays
containing the new sequences are already available. The Sanger Institute released
their latest version of their miRBase sequence database for known microRNAs on
Friday May 5, 2006. (http://microrna.sanger.ac.uk/sequences/) This is the fifth
update since the beginning of last year and updates occur whenever a significant
number of experimentally verified sequences are added to the database. This update
is significant because of the large number of sequences added; the total number has
increased from 3518 to 3963, which include 130 new Human sequences, 70 new Mouse
sequences, and 3 entirely new species: Xenopus tropicalis (177), Bos taurus (33),
Rhesus lymphocryptovirus (16).

The latest Sanger miRBase update was made primarily to include the findings in a
paper recently published in PNAS1. This paper referenced the µParaFloT microRNA
microchip, which is the brand name of LC Sciences' microarray service products
(http://www.lcsciences.com/mirna.html).

LC Sciences was the first company to offer a comprehensive, high-throughput service
for genome-wide microRNA expression profiling and detection. The LC Sciences service
is different from other services now available in that a microfluidics on-chip
synthesis platform, termed µParaFloT developed by Atactic Technologies, is used for
manufacture of the microarrays versus a traditional spotted array based on
pre-synthesized oligonucleotides. In addition to providing much more uniform and
reproducible features than a spotted array, on-chip synthesis permits the total
customization of content on each individual microarray. Completely customizable
content means LC Sciences can produce made-to-order microarrays and deliver the most
up-to-date research tools to their customers.

Since this latest Sanger miRBase release has added so much content, all spotted
Human or Mouse miRNA microarrays produced to date (Release 8.0 and earlier) won't
provide researchers with a complete picture of the microRNA expression in their
samples. Whereas LC Sciences can offer customers microarrays with the new release
8.1 probe content today, it may take quite some time before others (utilizing
spotted arrays) can update their probe content.

About LC Sciences - LC Sciences is a genomics and proteomics product company
offering innovative and quality products and services. Our array service products
are based on Atactic Technologies' µParafloT platform technologies that encompass
advanced digital chemical synthesis, pico-liter scale biochemical assays, and
microfluidic reaction devices containing high density individual 3D chambers. This
technology enables us to provide unique and customizable arrays of oligonucleotides,
peptides, and their analog molecules. Our line of microarray products includes
microRNA profiling arrays, custom oligonucleotide (aptamer) arrays, and peptide
arrays (epitope arrays, protein kinase substrate peptide arrays, and phosphopeptide
arrays). We provide powerful microarray products designed for nucleic acid and
protein-profiling, biomarker-identification, ligand binding and drug screening, and
development of diagnostic and detection devices.
More information about LC Sciences is available at http://www.lcsciences.com.

1. Cummins, J.M., He, Y., Leary, R.J., Pagliarini, R., Diaz, L.A., Jr., Sjoblom, T.,
Barad, O., Bentwich, Z., Szafranska, A.E., Labourier, E. et al. (2006) The
colorectal microRNAome. Proc. Natl. Acad Sci. USA, 103, 3687-3692.


Web Site = http://www.lcsciences.com

Contact Details = 2575 West Bellfort Street
Suite 270
Houston, TX 77054
713-664-7087
info@lcsciences.com