Roche Nimblegen and 454 Life Sciences, both units of Roche Applied Science, have announced a collaboration with Seqwright, a provider of custom genomic and molecular biology services, and Eli Lilly.
The goal of this collaboration is to use genomic technologies to identify genetic variants possibly associated with various psychiatric diseases.
Seqwright will utilise Nimblegen Sequence Capture technology to selectively enrich approximately 40 megabases of the human genome, which will then be comprehensively sequenced using 454 Life Sciences' Genome Sequencer FLX system.
By utilising the most advanced genomic technologies, Seqwright has the ability to transform the drug-discovery process by reducing the time and money necessary for researchers to identify potentially clinically informative genetic variations.
Brian Edmonds, research advisor of global external research and development at Eli Lilly and Company, said: 'Just a year ago, it would have been impossible to imagine how we could selectively sequence such a large portion of the human genome in such a fast and cost-effective manner.
'We are participating in this collaboration as a way to better examine the root causes of various psychiatric diseases.
'If this project delivers as expected, we hope to identify new biomarkers or novel drug targets for the future development of medicines to treat an array of psychiatric illnesses,' he added.
