Eurofins Medigenomix / MWG Biotech sequence Wacker Chemie AG’s bacterial protein production strain

Eurofins Medigenomix GmbH / MWG Biotech AG have finalised a genome sequencing project with Wacker Chemie AG for the analysis of the genetic differences between WACKER’s proprietary industrial protein production E. coli strain and its corresponding parental strain. The successful sequencing is an important step to further improve and advance WACKER’s E.coli strain and the related proprietary E. coli secretion system, which is a well-established technology for cost-efficient production of proteins. The genome of the E.coli strain was sequenced with ultra parallel shotgun sequencing using GS 20 technology, a high-throughput automated DNA sequencing system. The sequence reads have been assembled into contigs, i.e. sets of overlapping DNA segments, and subsequently analysed with MWG’s proprietary genome comparison tool and displayed with the MWG’s Annotation Viewer software. “We are very impressed by the rapid and precise analysis of our E. coli production strain. The results will help us to further improve the performance of our production strain immensely”, states Günter Wich, Head of the Biotechnology Department of Wacker Chemie AG’s corporate R&D. “In addition, the further increase of efficiency will result in even more favourable cost of goods which we can offer to our customers. This is a key advantage over conventional protein production systems.” WACKER’s E. coli secretion system is a commercialized and well-established technology for protein production. The core of the technology is WACKER’s proprietary E. coli K12 strain, which is capable of secreting a vast variety of different recombinant proteins in their native form into the fermentation broth during cultivation. Extracellular production facilitates straightforward purification of recombinant products, eliminates tedious refolding steps and makes the whole manufacturing process more efficient and cost effective. Brigitte Obermaier, Managing Director Eurofins Medigenomix, says: “We are very proud that we could contribute with our project to the innovative bacterial genome research in Germany.” Eurofins Medigenomix / MWG Biotech have been the first international service provider in Germany to offer their customers access to the next generation of DNA sequencing technology by the acquisition of the Genome Sequencer 20 system from Roche Diagnostics and by that setting new standards in velocity and cost-effectiveness for whole genome sequencing. The companies’ sequencing platform is based on the combination of Sanger and GS 20 technology and supported by bioinformatic services which allows to sequence and compare bacterial genomes in only a couple of days.

About Wacker Biotech W

acker Biotech GmbH is an experienced full-service contract manufacturer of biopharmaceuticals derived from microbial systems. Its portfolio ranges from services in molecular biology, analytical and process development, through GMP-compliant production of clinical test material and drug substance for commercial market supply. Above all, Wacker Biotech offers proprietary technologies that satisfy market needs for cost-efficient and high-quality production. Two examples are its E. coli-based secretion system and the high-cell-density fermentation technology. Jena-based Wacker Biotech is a wholly-owned WACKER subsidiary, operating since early 2005 as the direct successor of ProThera GmbH. For further information please visit the corporate website at: http://www.wacker.com/biologics.

About Eurofins Medigenomix

Eurofins Medigenomix GmbH, located in Martinsried, Germany is an innovative bioanalytical company, specialized in services for DNA analysis. The business unit for DNA sequencing and molecular biology applications is well known as outsourcing partner for the biopharmaceutical industry and academic institutions, the unit for Applied Genetics is a leading provider for DNA forensics, paternity testing in humans and animals and authenticity testing in food. A special strength of Medigenomix' team is the extensive experience in purifying and handling DNA samples from different origin for various applications in DNA analysis. For further information, please visit the corporate website at: www.medigenomix.com.