Genome Institute of Singapore and Fluidigm Establish Asia's First Single-Cell Genomics Research Center

SINGAPORE & SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

The Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS), an institute under the umbrella of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), and Fluidigm Corporation FLDM today announced the establishment of the first research center in Asia exclusively dedicated to accelerating the understanding of how individual cells work, and how diagnosis and treatment might be enhanced through insight derived from single cells. The GIS-Fluidigm Single-Cell ‘Omics Center (SCOC) is expected to act as a focal point for collaborative efforts among single-cell genomics researchers across the region.

The SCOC will be a visionary academic-industry partnership designed to provide integrated analytics for single-cell genomic applications to the region's researchers. This interdisciplinary center will bring together molecular and cell biologists and provide them with genomics and genotypic data for their assessment of biological pathways, disease mechanisms and the characterization of healthy and diseased tissues.

The center will provide single-cell analytics across a diverse collection of stakeholders such as drug discovery firms, pharmaceutical and biotech companies, academia and clinics. The SCOC is targeted to provide single-cell infrastructure across Singapore and Asia that will engage various disciplines in an adaptive multi-source platform.

An example of one of the early projects that the SCOC will tackle is defining early embryonic cellular state spaces using single-cell transcriptomics through mRNA sequencing. This project will be led by GIS Senior Group Leader Dr. Paul Robson. The measurement of the transcriptome at the single-cell level is the most accessible method to define cell states with digital gene expression patterns providing the state space coordinates. This project aims to define a minimal set of signaling and regulatory genes capable of defining the attractor and transitional cellular states spaces in existence early in human development.

The SCOC will be housed in dedicated laboratory space at GIS facilities in Biopolis, Singapore. It will feature the full capabilities of Fluidigm's new C₁™ Single-Cell Auto Prep System and the Fluidigm BioMark™ HD System for gene expression analytics and validation. In addition, the center will have access to various NGS capabilities for sequencing.

GIS is one of the world's premier centers for human genetics studies, genomic discovery, and the pursuit of integrating technology, genetics and biology towards the goal of individualized medicine. Drs. Paul Robson and Bing Lim, GIS Senior Group Leader and Associate Director, Cancer Stem Cell Biology, will oversee the initial projects run through the SCOC.

GIS Executive Director Prof Ng Huck Hui said, “GIS has identified Single-Cell Genomics as one of our new research frontiers. We are set up to build a repertoire of new research capabilities for single-cell analyses. Our initial collaboration with Fluidigm has borne fruit with the publication of a landmark paper by Dr. Paul Robson. This larger and very important collaboration will see an even greater synergy between the technologies from GIS and Fluidigm.”

“With the creation of the SCOC, we assemble a strong multidisciplinary consortium of academia and industry, and an interdisciplinary team of senior scientists, engineers and informatics specialists with very deep knowledge and skills in analyzing cellomics and genomics information. This will create a platform for information-sharing in a collaborative manner designed to deliver fast execution from concept to results,” said Dr. Michael Rossbach, Head of the GIS Office of Business Development.

“The Single-Cell ‘Omics Center is a major boost to the emerging, burgeoning field of single-cell analysis and we are thrilled to be part of it together with GIS,” said Gajus Worthington, President and Chief Executive Officer of Fluidigm. “GIS has a track record of publishing breakthroughs based upon single-cell research, so this center can act as an accelerant for more new science. In addition, we expect the SCOC will stimulate more single-cell genomics research throughout Asia,” Worthington concluded.

The SCOC's most relevant applications are associated with life science research, bioprocesses, diagnostic and therapeutic clinical developments. The focus of the SCOC will be on single-cell analytics for biologics research and development, biomarker discovery, drug targeting, molecular diagnostics, pathway modeling, cellular and toxicity studies, pharmaceutical research and development, agricultural research and development, industrial biotechnology, and academic, clinical and basic research.

Researchers have long known that heterogeneity exists among cells in tissue samples and other populations, but this variability is masked by averaging data across pooled cell samples. Fluidigm's microfluidic chips and high-throughput instruments have made single-cell studies feasible by converting cellular heterogeneity from a source of background noise to a source of information enabling cutting-edge discoveries.

There has been an upsurge in single-cell research and Fluidigm technology is in a leadership position in supplying tools to single-cell genomic researchers.

Fluidigm equipment is currently being installed at the Center and first projects are underway.

About the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)

The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) is Singapore's lead public sector agency that fosters world-class scientific research and talent to drive economic growth and transform Singapore into a vibrant knowledge-based and innovation driven economy. In line with its mission-oriented mandate, A*STAR spearheads research and development in fields that are essential to growing Singapore's manufacturing sector and catalysing new growth industries. A*STAR supports these economic clusters by providing intellectual, human and industrial capital to its partners in industry. A*STAR oversees 20 biomedical sciences and physical sciences and engineering research entities, located in Biopolis and Fusionopolis as well as their vicinity. These two R&D hubs house a bustling and diverse community of local and international research scientists and engineers from A*STAR's research entities as well as a growing number of corporate laboratories. Please visit www.a-star.edu.sg.

About the Genome Institute of Singapore

The Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS) is an institute of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). It has a global vision that seeks to use genomic sciences to improve public health and public prosperity. Established in 2001 as a centre for genomic discovery, the GIS will pursue the integration of technology, genetics and biology towards the goal of individualized medicine. The key research areas at the GIS include computational & systems biology, stem cell and developmental biology, cancer stem cell biology, cancer therapeutics and stratified oncology, human genetics, infectious diseases, genomic technologies and translational technologies. The genomics infrastructure at the GIS is utilized to train new scientific talent, to function as a bridge for academic and industrial research, and to explore scientific questions of high impact. Please visit www.gis.a-star.edu.sg.

Use of Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 including statements relating to the field of single-cell genomics research and potential developments in the emerging market. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from currently anticipated results, including risks relating to research and development activities and the development of emerging markets. Information on these and additional risks affecting Fluidigm's business and operating results are contained in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2012. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof and Fluidigm disclaims any obligation to update these statements.

About Fluidigm

Fluidigm FLDM develops, manufactures and markets microfluidic systems for growth markets in the life science and agricultural biotechnology, or Ag-Bio, industries. Fluidigm's proprietary microfluidic systems consist of instruments and consumables, including chips, assays and other reagents. These systems are designed to significantly simplify experimental workflow, increase throughput and reduce costs, while providing the excellent data quality demanded by customers. Fluidigm actively markets three microfluidic systems, including eight different commercial chips, to leading academic institutions, diagnostic laboratories, and pharmaceutical, biotechnology and Ag-Bio companies.

For more information, please visit www.fluidigm.com.

Fluidigm, the Fluidigm logo, C₁ and BioMark, are trademarks or registered trademarks of Fluidigm Corporation.