Bionano Genomics Announces Publication by International COVID-19 Host Genome Structural Variation Consortium Describing How OGM Identified Structural Variations as Predisposing Factors Associated with Severe COVID-19
January 20 2022 - 08:00AM
Bionano Genomics, Inc. (BNGO), pioneer of optical genome mapping
(OGM) solutions on the Saphyr® system and provider of NxClinical™,
the leading software solutions for visualization, interpretation
and reporting of genomic data, today announced the publication of a
study that described the use of OGM to identify rare human genomic
structural variants (SVs) as predisposition factors associated with
severe COVID-19, highlighting the potential role of SVs in the
pathogenesis of COVID-19 severity.
“Research continues to unravel the genetic factors that
predispose people to severe COVID-19, and it is no surprise that
structural variants can play a role,” commented Dr. Ravindra
Kolhe, Associate Dean for Translational Research at Medical
College of Georgia and Director of the Georgia Esoteric and
Molecular Laboratory at Augusta University. “We are excited to have
optical genome mapping as another important tool in the toolbox of
genomic discovery in this pandemic.”
The International COVID-19 Host Genome Structural Variation
Consortium is a global open host genome structural variation
consortium for the COVID-19 response. It is comprised of over 30
researchers from leading institutions who are using long-read
molecule technologies, including OGM, to assess SVs in the human
genome that could be contributing to COVID-19 susceptibility or
progression.
In this peer-reviewed study, published in the journal iScience,
researchers performed OGM on samples from 52 severely ill COVID-19
patients to investigate SVs as decisive predisposition factors
associated with COVID-19. They identified 7 SVs in 9 patients (17%
of patients tested) involving genes implicated in two key
host-viral interaction pathways: innate immunity and inflammatory
response, and viral replication and spread. The study authors
reported that SVs in two genes, STK26 and DPP4, are
the most intriguing candidates in these biological pathways.
As the authors indicate, this is the first study to
systematically assess the potential role of SVs in the pathogenesis
of COVID-19 severity. These findings indicate that SVs can be a
factor in COVID-19 severity and expand the research community’s
understanding of COVID-19 susceptibility and progression.
“We are excited by the work of the International COVID-19 Host
Genome Structural Variation Consortium and their use of OGM as a
research tool for exploring genetic factors in COVID-19
pathogenesis,” commented Erik Holmlin, PhD, President and Chief
Executive Officer of Bionano. “We expect that ongoing research on
SVs will elevate our understanding of human health in this pandemic
and see the potential for genetic variants to become additional
factors in risk stratification for severe disease.”
The pre-print version of the paper was published January 10,
2022 and is available online at:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S258900422200030X.
About Bionano Genomics
Bionano Genomics is a provider of genome analysis solutions that
can enable researchers and clinicians to reveal answers to
challenging questions in biology and medicine. The Company’s
mission is to transform the way the world sees the genome through
OGM solutions, diagnostic services and software. The Company offers
OGM solutions for applications across basic, translational and
clinical research. Through its Lineagen business, the Company also
provides diagnostic testing for patients with clinical
presentations consistent with autism spectrum disorder and other
neurodevelopmental disabilities. Through its BioDiscovery business,
the Company also offers an industry-leading, platform-agnostic
software solution, which integrates next-generation sequencing and
microarray data designed to provide analysis, visualization,
interpretation and reporting of copy number variants,
single-nucleotide variants and absence of heterozygosity across the
genome in one consolidated view. For more information, visit
www.bionanogenomics.com, www.lineagen.com or
www.biodiscovery.com.
Forward-Looking Statements of Bionano
Genomics
This press release contains forward-looking statements within
the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. Words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,”
“estimate,” “intend” and similar expressions (as well as other
words or expressions referencing future events, conditions or
circumstances) convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes and
are intended to identify these forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements include statements regarding our
intentions, beliefs, projections, outlook, analyses or current
expectations concerning, among other things, the potential role of
SVs in the pathogenesis of COVID-19 severity; the ability for OGM
to continue to play a role in the evaluation of COVID-19; the
potential for ongoing research on SVs to elevate our understanding
of human health; and the potential for genetic variants to become
additional factors in risk stratification for severe disease. Each
of these forward-looking statements involves risks and
uncertainties. Actual results or developments may differ materially
from those projected or implied in these forward-looking
statements. Factors that may cause such a difference include the
risks and uncertainties associated with: the impact of the COVID-19
pandemic on our business and the global economy; general market
conditions; changes in the competitive landscape, including the
introduction of competitive technologies or improvements in
existing technologies; failure of future study results to support
those demonstrated in the study referenced in this press release;
changes in our strategic and commercial plans; our ability to
obtain sufficient financing to fund our strategic plans and
commercialization efforts; the ability of medical and research
institutions to obtain funding to support adoption or continued use
of our technologies; and the risks and uncertainties associated
with our business and financial condition in general, including the
risks and uncertainties described in our filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, including, without limitation,
our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020
and in other filings subsequently made by us with the Securities
and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements contained
in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were
made and are based on management’s assumptions and estimates as of
such date. We do not undertake any obligation to publicly update
any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of the receipt
of new information, the occurrence of future events or
otherwise.
CONTACTSCompany Contact:Erik Holmlin, CEOBionano Genomics,
Inc.+1 (858) 888-7610eholmlin@bionanogenomics.com
Investor Relations:Amy ConradJuniper Point+1 (858)
366-3243amy@juniper-point.com
Media Relations:Michael SullivanSeismic+1 (503)
799-7520michael@teamseismic.com
Bionano Genomics (NASDAQ:BNGO)
Historical Stock Chart
From Feb 2024 to Mar 2024
Bionano Genomics (NASDAQ:BNGO)
Historical Stock Chart
From Mar 2023 to Mar 2024