FREMONT, Calif. — WaferGen Biosystems, Inc. (OTCBB:WGBS), the provider of next-generation genomic analysis systems, announced that its SmartChip Real-Time PCR System was chosen by a German consortium to advance their research toward developing a reliable blood test for detection of cancer, cardiovascular and other diseases. The results of the multicenter study were published in Nature Methods by a broad group of scientists headed by Andreas Keller at Febit Biomed GMBH and the Comprehensive Biomarker Center (CBC, Heidelberg).

The researchers turned to WaferGen’s SmartChip System to validate their findings of significantly different microRNA levels in blood of tumors compared to those found in healthy subjects. Most microRNA expression profiles come from solid tissue samples. The purpose of this study was to assess if different microRNA expression levels could be determined in blood samples. Using the SmartChip System, they were able to confirm variations in microRNA levels from 44 individuals with lung cancer and 41 with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). These research results and verification by the SmartChip System support the potential of using microRNA expression patterns in blood to detect disease.

“We have been astonished by the high degree of reproducibility of the SmartChip System and the concordance with the microarray data,” said Keller.

“We applaud the CBC, Heidelberg and the German team who have made this outstanding progress toward developing a blood test for what could be early detection – and thereby more successful treatment – of cancer and other diseases,” said David Gelfand, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer, WaferGen. “Although there is still additional development work that needs to be conducted, we are pleased to have helped to move closer to making this important test a reality. It is indicative of the role of our SmartChip System as a transformative genomic analysis product.”

MicroRNAs are small non-protein-coding single-stranded RNA molecules of 20-24 nucleotides in length that function as negative regulators of gene expression by targeting specific messenger RNAs. This either inhibits translation or promotes messenger RNA degradation. By understanding the relationship between disease processes and microRNA patterns in blood cells, scientists believe they can better comprehend diseases.

To read the complete article, see: Andreas Keller et al: “Towards discovering the blood-borne miRNome of human diseases.” Nature Methods 2011, DOI:10.1038/nmeth.1682.

About WaferGen and the SmartChip Real-Time PCR System

WaferGen Biosystems, Inc., an emerging genomic analysis company in the early stage of commercialization, offers the transformative SmartChip Real-Time PCR System—a next-generation Real-Time PCR system for profiling and validation of gene expression patterns (biomarkers) on a single platform. The SmartChip System provides a range of high-throughput capabilities including microRNA and mRNA gene expression profiling and Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) genotyping. WaferGen also offers Quick-Turnaround SmartChip Custom (User-Defined) Panels to enable validation studies of specific genes of interest through customization of high-throughput, real-time PCR SmartChip assay panels—all on a quick-turnaround basis.

In addition, the company offers an innovative fee-based service for gene-expression profiling using the SmartChip System. For additional information, please see http://www.wafergen.com .