The agreement gives Ambion access to the Rosetta Genomics database, which includes RNA sequences for a variety of applications in the field of medical research
Rosetta Genomics Ltd., a private Israeli biotechnology company that develops diagnostic and pharmaceutical products based on unique microRNA genes, and the American company Ambion, which specializes in developing technologies for RNA gene research, announced the signing of a cooperation agreement type of licensing. The agreement gives Ambion access to microRNA sequences that were discovered by Rosetta Genomics and are currently in approval procedures as a patent. The agreement allows Ambion to adapt the RNA-type gene platform in its development for the detection, quantification and characterization of microRNA sequences discovered by Rosetta Genomics. The products produced in this process will enable the development of basic and applied research initiatives among researchers in academia and industry around the world.
There is now growing evidence that microRNA genes appear in different concentrations in healthy cells compared to diseased cells. Therefore, measuring and changing the microRNA levels may be potential tools in the diagnosis and treatment of many diseases.
"The identification and understanding of the role of microRNA genes in the field of human health constitutes a new frontier in the field of medical research and diagnosis," said Matt Winkler, CEO of Ambion. "We are pleased that the agreement with Rosetta Genomics will allow us to expand our product line to the researchers who specialize in the field of microRNA and who can use these research products to more deeply examine the roles of microRNA in biological processes such as neurological development, reaction of The immune system, viral infections and oncogenesis".
"MicroRNAs appear to play a vital role in how genes are expressed and controlled," said Amir Avniel, president of Rosetta Genomics. "Due to this, it is likely that microRNA will play a central role in the diagnosis and treatment of many diseases. Our collaboration with the Ambion company will make it possible to apply the technology of Rosetta Genomics and the database it owns in research initiatives, which will have a significant impact on the field of health in the coming years."
About microRNAMicroRNA genes are a group of small RNA molecules that were recently discovered to be essential for development and growth in humans, animals and plants. MicroRNAs are important regulators of gene expression, and it is likely that they will play a very important role as indicators of various disease states. Recent evidence indicates that microRNA plays a vital role in the development of cancer and viral infections.
