Microarrays' Capture Probes Accelerate Disease Research and Diagnostics

Microarrays, Inc. (MI), an innovator of array-based technologies for biological research, detection and diagnostics, today announced that the company's management team and a group of independent investors have purchased MI from Vanderbilt University. The new company structure will allow MI to more quickly and nimbly respond to client's rapidly expanding needs, especially within the diagnostic and health care arenas.

MI uses proprietary robotics to manufacture microarrays, orderly arrangements of capture probes usually made of DNA, proteins or other complex organic molecules. These probes are able to "capture" biological information from experimental or clinical samples, allowing researchers to rapidly sort through complex samples and identify the presence or absence of targets of interest, whether for basic research or disease detection. Array-based tools accelerate the rate of discovery by allowing scientists to better understand the fundamental aspects of molecular biology and explore the underlying aspects of human disease. The technology has promising applications in the field of diagnostics, such as sub-typing cancers in an effort to better direct therapies, identification of viral and bacterial pathogens within a patient sample, and personalized medicine.

"Vanderbilt University has acted as a wonderful steward to our business, fostering both its growth and success," said Joel Peek, Ph.D., chief executive officer at Microarrays, Inc. "As MI enters a new era of product development, innovation and commercialization, we felt it was the right time to strike out on our own. Under the auspices of the HudsonAlpha Institute, MI has a unique opportunity to collaborate with world-class researchers and like-minded biotechnology companies who will help accelerate both the development and market entry of our products. At a time when science is advancing at an unprecedented rate, we are excited to be an integral part of the discovery process and its healthcare implementation."

MI has its origins in the Microarray Core facility of the Vanderbilt-Ingram Comprehensive Cancer Center in Nashville, Tennessee. Founded in 1999, the Microarray Core facility was established to provide microarray-related services to the Vanderbilt University research community. In response to the growing expertise, proficiency and manufacturering innovations developed at the cancer center, MI was established as an autonomous company through the Office of Enterprise Development at Vanderbilt University in 2000.

Since that time MI has grown considerably from a DNA-based research tools manufacturer, to a full spectrum DNA, protein and diagnostic applications company. To further support its growth and innovation, in 2008 MI became part of the collaborative HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology in Huntsville, Alabama. The institute was founded with an objective of developing and using biotechnology to further personalized medicine.