– Goal Is Development of a Fully Integrated Nanochannel Chip and Reader for

Single-Molecule Mapping, Enabling Direct Visualization and Analysis of Long

Strands of DNA in Context and at Very High Resolution –

PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 6 — BioNanomatrix, Inc., a developer

of breakthrough nanoscale whole genome imaging platforms for genetic

diagnostics, personalized medicine and biomedical research, today announced

receipt of a grant from the National Human Genome Research Institute of the

U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH). Under the direction of

BioNanomatrix principal investigator Dr. Ming Xiao, the two-year $399,020

project will develop a nanoscale platform for single-molecule haplotyping

imaging and analysis of long strands of DNA at ultra-high resolution in a

massively parallel format.

“We are pleased that the NIH has again recognized the potential of our

revolutionary nanoscale single-molecule imaging and analysis technology by

awarding us this new grant, which is explicitly intended to support the

development of a platform to produce consistent linearization and imaging

of individual DNA molecules, allowing for high resolution mapping of

labeled genomic sites,” said Han Cao, Ph.D., chief scientific officer of

BioNanomatrix. “This added support will help us accelerate the development

of the platform, which we believe could add significantly to the

understanding of genetic diseases by increasing access to whole genome

analysis and by allowing researchers to view and analyze the critical

haplotype information that is currently difficult to obtain.”

The goal of the project is to develop a fully integrated nanochannel

chip and reader capable of single-molecule mapping of linearized genomic

material extracted directly from a sample, enabling direct visualization

and analysis of long strands of DNA in context and at very high resolution.

The platform is designed to accommodate massively parallel analyses of

individual DNA molecules to permit standardized, high-throughput mapping of

sequence motifs or polymorphic sites along the DNA. Such capabilities could

transform biological analyses, permitting highly sensitive detection of

genetic information for genome-wide association studies, especially where

crucial haplotype information is required. These capabilities would result

in a greater understanding of genetic variation and genetic diseases and

also enable applications such as rapid mapping of pathogen genomes.

BioNanomatrix has previously been awarded grants to accelerate the

development of its single-molecule whole genome imaging platform, to use

its nanoscale platform to identify and quantify damage caused to DNA by

ionizing radiation and to develop chip-based nanofluidics systems for cell

fractionation for applications in cancer diagnostics and research. The

company is also the co-recipient of a five-year grant from the U.S.

National Institute of Standards and Technology Advanced Technology Program

to co-develop a platform enabling sequencing of the human genome at a cost

of $100.

About BioNanomatrix

BioNanomatrix is developing breakthrough nanoscale whole genome imaging

and analytic platforms for applications in genetic diagnostics,

personalized medicine and biomedical research applications. The company is

applying its expertise in nanochips, nanodevices and nanosystems to develop

its patented platform technology to provide fast, comprehensive, and

low-cost analysis of genomic, epigenomic and proteomic information with

sensitivity at the single-molecule level. Its current development efforts

include a federally funded project to sequence the human genome at a cost

of $100. BioNanomatrix’s technologies are licensed exclusively from

Princeton University. Founded in 2003, the company is headquartered in

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. For more information, visit:

https://www.BioNanomatrix.com .