GeneCards Links to Tocris Research Reagents

For the first time scientists investigating human genes through GeneCards, the world leading online database of genes, can directly link to relevant and cutting edge research reagents from Tocris Bioscience.

Dr Robert Felix, Tocris' Product Manager said, "The new ability provided by GeneCards to rapidly associate Tocris' high quality research compounds with genes and proteins highlights the central importance of chemical tools in the study of the biology of our genes. We expect that this capability will be of great benefit to life scientists and will lead to new avenues of research."

The powerful GeneCards search engine provides users with concise genomic, proteomic, transcriptomic, genetic and functional information on all known and predicted human genes. Information featured in GeneCards includes orthologies, disease relationships, mutations and SNPs, gene expression patterns, gene function, pathways, protein-protein interactions, related drugs and compounds, and direct links to Tocris' comprehensive 'Target files'.

A recent introduction to the Tocris website, 'Target files' consist of a concise summary of the biological target, together with links to external sources of genetic and pharmacological information. Tocris products with activity at each target are listed here allowing rapid identification of the most relevant research tools.

Dr. David Warshawsky, Chief Executive Officer of Xennex Inc., the commercial partner of GeneCards, added "We are very pleased about our work with Tocris and are delighted that GeneCards users will have gene-specific access to Tocris' high quality research compounds. I am confident that offering access to Tocris' products will help many of our users in academia and industry in their efforts in areas such as basic research and drug discovery."

About GeneCards

GeneCards^® is a searchable, integrated database of human genes that provides concise genomic, proteomic, transcriptomic, genetic and functional information on all known and predicted human genes. Information featured in GeneCards includes orthologies, disease relationships, SNPs, gene expression, gene function, pathways, protein-protein interactions, related drugs and compounds and direct links to cutting-edge research reagents and tools such as antibodies, recombinant proteins, clones, expression assays and RNAi reagents. The GeneCards database is developed and maintained in the Crown Human Genome Center at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel. Founded in 1997, the GeneCards project defined as its goal to integrate the fragments of information scattered over a variety of databases into a coherent picture.

For more information about GeneCards visit www.genecards.org

About XenneX

XenneX, Inc. is a dynamic privately held company that is dedicated to providing biotechnology, pharmaceutical and other life sciences companies, as well as organizations dealing with biotechnology intellectual property, the highest level of services and tools to enhance their bio-medical research. XenneX' products help such organizations to optimize their efforts to develop innovative medical products and services. XenneX operations worldwide are carried out from its offices in Massachusetts, USA.