PISCATAWAY, N.J.–The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) and GE Healthcare (NYSE:GE) announced today a strategic alliance designed to apply advanced cellular genomics technologies and strategies to improve and accelerate the discovery and development of new drugs. This research collaboration will support the mutual goals of translating basic genomic research into early health solutions for some of the most urgent problems facing healthcare today.

Located in Phoenix, AZ, TGen is focused on rapidly translating genomic discoveries into earlier diagnoses and smarter treatments that directly benefit patient care.

“This collaboration could result in a better understanding of the biological mechanisms involved in oncology, many of which are not currently well understood by the medical community,” said Spyro Mousses PhD, director of Pharmaceutical Genomics and Cancer Drug Development at TGen. “The advanced imaging systems provided by GE allow us to observe cellular morphology more clearly and perform cytometry at an unprecedented rate. Most importantly, we can more accurately collect multi-parametric information about how cells are responding to specific genetic perturbations and to specific drug exposures. This gives our researchers a better view of complex processes involved in regulating drug response in cancer cells.”

GE Healthcare’s IN Cell Analyzer imaging systems are used by researchers in pharmaceutical and academic labs to analyze a variety of cellular processes in disease definition and drug development. TGen’s high throughput cellular analysis research program will be equipped with both the IN Cell Analyzer 3000 and 1000. The new imaging systems will enable TGen scientists to functionally interrogate the genome to identify and characterize cancer-associated genes that can be used to help develop more targeted medicines.