Genomatix Software GmbH of Munich, Germany, has won a "BioChance" research contract from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research to pursue research in RNAi mediated regulatory networks and to further expand its competence and product line into this exciting new field. The project is scheduled to run for two years and is worth more than US$ 1.6 million.

Genomatix own unique competence in the biology of gene regulation will be complemented by at least two academic research partners (the LMU Munich and the DKFZ Heidelberg) who will carry out the wet lab experimental part of the research.

This project represents another milestone in the development of complete solutions for which Genomatix is known for. "Regulatory RNAs represent a very important but yet underestimated part of gene regulation. As Genomatix is especially emphasizing the network aspects, this project will directly enhance many parts of the Genomatix portfolio of solutions. For example, Genomatix already provides the most complete solution for microarray analysis, which will immediately benefit from the results of this project.", says Dr. Thomas Werner, CEO & CSO of Genomatix.

"The unique data and capabilities of our ElDorado genome annotation system and mapping pipeline provide a significant boost to the project from the very beginning" adds Dr. Matthias Scherf, head of Genomatix' Discovery Group and project leader on the microRNA project.