Amersham Pharmacia Biotech and Aurora Biosciences Corporation have agreed to commercialize their combined Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) technology which is used in drug discovery and development. GFP was originally identified in the luminescent jellyfish Aequorea Victoria and is produced by the jellyfish when stimulated. When incorporated into cellular DNA it is produced by the cell, and, following laser excitation, shines with a bright green fluorescent glow that can be used to track proteins within living cells. GFP, already used in cancer and Alzheimer's research allows researchers to study real-time gene expression and protein migration and interactions.

Researchers at the Institute of BioTechnological Investigations at San Martin University, Argentina have announced that they have unraveled the genetic makeup and structure of the enzyme that allows the parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi, responsible for Chagas disease to beat the immune system. The disease causes swelling of the internal organs, such as the brain and intestines, and can damage the heart. The disease is transmitted to humans by bloodsucking reduviid bugs, or "kissing bugs," that live in the cracks and holes of homes in South and Central America.

Epigenomics has identified over 200 methylated sequence tags (MeSTs or DNA based markers) that could be used for early detection of colon cancer. These markers are the first results to be announced from a large-scale genome wide screening effort of all major human tumors for DNA methylation markers in tissue and serum. Epigenomics believes that methylation-based DNA markers will allow the detection of disease much earlier than currently available diagnostics. The research was carried out at Epigenomics' high-throughput discovery facility in Seattle, Washington.

Genomics Collaborative, Inc. and Specialty Laboratories, Inc. have announced a research collaboration to study the clinical significance of new laboratory markers of disease. The companies will demonstrate the clinical utility of certain genetic markers in the diverse US patient population.

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