MORRISVILLE, N.C., June 17, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Metabolon, Inc.,
the global leader in metabolomics, and DNA Genotek, a subsidiary of
OraSure Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: OSUR), have collaborated to
bring OMNImet™·GUT, the first device for in-home collection and
ambient-temperature storage and shipping of fecal samples for
metabolomics, to the research market.
"For years, our customers from across biopharma, academia and
population health have been asking for a validated,
ambient-temperature solution to study metabolites in human feces,"
said Luke Miller, VP Laboratory
Operations, Metabolon. "When DNA Genotek approached us to validate
their new in-home technology, we knew it would help to unlock a new
realm of functional insights for microbiome research as well as
other areas of health, wellness and disease research."
In the past, the only option to study metabolites in feces
required immediate freezing and cold chain shipping of the sample.
Understanding the barriers this created for patient at-home
collection, DNA Genotek collaborated with Metabolon for validation
of the collection tubes and the stabilization chemistry necessary
to protect the intricate nature of metabolites in feces and ensure
sample integrity.
Metabolomics is uniquely positioned to provide a readout of the
small molecule metabolites, which serve as the "language" for
communication between microbiota and the host, and between
microbial populations. Metabolon will offer its industry-leading
metabolomics analysis and short chain fatty acid analysis on
samples collected using OMNImet·GUT.
"We are excited to announce this strategic collaboration with
Metabolon, which has validated our OMNImet·GUT collection device,"
said Scott Rabuka, Senior Director,
Molecular Products at DNA Genotek, Inc. "We recognized that in
addition to our industry-leading OMNIgene® collection
devices for metagenomics, customers were asking for an
ambient-temperature collection and storage solution for microbiome
metabolomics samples. Working with Metabolon, the clear
metabolomics market leader, the OMNImet·GUT device provides
scientists with an important new solution for metabolomics research
and builds on our evolution towards a fully integrated multiomics
company that creates and captures value from sample collection all
the way to discovery."
The proprietary stabilization chemistry in the
OMNImet·GUT device provides ambient-temperature stability that
does not require immediate freezing and cumbersome and expensive
cold-chain logistics. It is designed to maintain the integrity of
the sample for metabolomics analysis for multiple days at ambient
temperature. The increased flexibility, ease of use and lower
shipping costs provided by OMNImet·GUT device can provide
significant advantages for clinical trial recruitment and
execution.
"Metabolomics goes a step beyond what metagenomics can offer in
the study of the microbiome by providing an in vivo
understanding of the changing functionality of bacteria in the
host," said Greg Michelotti,
Scientific Director, Metabolon. "This unique view is vital in
supporting both clinical and population health studies because
understanding functional changes is essential to understanding the
drivers of health and the development of disease."
Through this collaboration, Metabolon provided all metabolomic
testing and validation of the device, ensuring rapid time to market
and reliable, high-quality study results. This collaboration
between Metabolon and DNA Genotek brings together the complementary
capabilities of each company to broaden the global adoption of
metabolomics in the study of health, wellness and disease.
OMNImet·GUT is intended for research use only.
Photos available upon request.
About DNA Genotek
DNA Genotek Inc., a subsidiary of
OraSure Technologies, Inc., focuses on providing high-quality
biological sample collection products and end-to-end services for
human genomics and microbiome applications. The Company's
Oragene®•Dx and ORAcollect®•Dx product lines are the first and only
FDA 510(k) cleared saliva-based DNA collection devices for in vitro
diagnostic use. DNA Genotek also offers Research Use Only products
to collect and preserve large amounts of DNA or RNA from multiple
sample types. Through its sister microbiome services company,
Diversigen, the company provides consultative end-to-end solutions
for sequencing, bioinformatics, and statistical analysis for the
study of the microbiome of living organisms and environments.
DNA Genotek markets its products worldwide and has a global
customer base with thousands of customers in over 100 countries.
For more information about DNA Genotek, visit
www.dnagenotek.com
About Metabolomics
Metabolomics is the key to
understanding biology, health, wellness and disease. All biological
systems, including humans, are continually fueling a collection of
chemical reactions. At its core, metabolomics is the large-scale
study of small molecules, called metabolites, that comprise the
metabolome. The science reveals the definitive representation of
the phenotype of any biological system by measuring inputs from
internal and external factors such as health, disease, nutrition,
microbiome, medication, pollution, etc. As innovation in other
life sciences areas has slowed, metabolomics is proving to be the
next frontier in supporting companies in their understanding of
data revealing state of health and the influences of genes,
microbiome, diet, lifestyle and drug treatment on the state of
health and progression of disease.
About Metabolon
Metabolon, Inc., is the global leader in revealing new biological
insights through metabolomics, harnessing the power of its
Precision Metabolomics™ Platform to provide biological insights of
disease state and physiological reactions in the present time. The
company offers scalable, customizable metabolomics solutions from
discovery through clinical trials and product life-cycle
management. Leveraging one of the world's most diverse and rich
patient data sets, Metabolon is equipped to deliver biologically
relevant insights to address some of the most difficult and
pressing questions in the life sciences, helping to accelerate
research and product development success in the biopharma,
population health, consumer products, wellness and academic
research sectors. For more information, please
visit www.metabolon.com or follow us
on LinkedIn or Twitter.
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SOURCE Metabolon, Inc.