New sepsis related biochips on the research market / SIRS-Lab GmbH introduces the Lab-Arraytor(R)human 60-5 and Lab- Arraytor(R)human 60-6

Jena, Germany 6. 10. 2003 (PROTEXT/ots) - On the occasion ofthe biotechnology trade fair BioTechnica in Hannover (Germany),SIRS-Lab expands its portfolio of biochips for the researchmarket. The products of the Lab-Arraytor(R)human 60 series allowmolecular investigations of specific metabolic pathways, whichare related to the pathogenesis of sepsis (blood poisoning) andother inflammatory diseases.

Lab-Arraytor(R) human 60-5 enables differential geneexpression studies of the complement cascade, an assembly ofproteins in the blood, which is involved in the defence againstinfections, coagulation and, especially, in the development ofinflammations. In addition to complement factors, such as thecomplement activation products C5a and C3a, their receptors aswell as a number of enzymes involved in the complement cascade,are represented on the chip.

'By developing the Lab-Arraytor(R) human 60-5, we supply thegrowing need for diagnostic tools in that field of research',explained SIRS-Lab's Chief Executive Officer, Dr. StefanRusswurm. As studies of prominent scientists revealed, thecomplement-activating C5a is strongly over expressed in patientswith sepsis. 'Therapies will thus concentrate on possibilities towork against C5a', added Dr Russwurm, who was formerly workingat the clinic for anaesthesiology and intensive care at theFriedrich Schiller University in Jena (Germany), where he alsotreated patients with sepsis.

Lab-Arraytor(R) human 60-6 is a research tool fordifferential gene expression studies of Nuclear Factor kappa B(NF-kappa-B). NF-kappa-B is involved in regulating thetranscription of many of the immuno-modulatory mediatorsinvolved in the development of sepsis-induced organ failures. Inseptic patients the concentration of NF-kappa-B is stronglyincreased. Besides NFkappaB subunits, the Lab-Arraytor(R) human60-6 represents genes for NF-kappa- B activators and inhibitorsas well as NFkappaB-regulated genes, e.g. interleukines.

The product series Lab-Arraytor(R) human 60 is availablesince April 2003. These polynucleotide-based arrays allowmolecular investigations on the activity of genes forinterleukines, chemokines, MAP-kinases as well as genescharacterizing apoptosis, TNF- and sphingolipid pathways.

The SIRS LAB GmbH is a privately held biotechnologicalcompany, located in Jena (Germany). It was founded in 2000 andstarted its operational business in April 2001. Today the SIRS-Lab GmbH has 25 employees.

ots Original Text Service: SIRS-Lab GmbH Internet:http://www.presseportal.de For further information pleasecontact Roberto Wolfer SIRS-Lab GmbH, Jena Phone: (+) 49 3641 /508 250 Email: wolfer@sirs-lab.de Web: www.sirs-lab.de Visitorsof the BioTechnica will find SIRS-Lab in hall 2 at stall G36.

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