University of North Texas Scientists Present on the Power of PCT in Forensics at AAFS Meeting
SOUTH EASTON, Mass., March 12, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pressure BioSciences, Inc. (Nasdaq:PBIO) ("PBI" and the "Company") today announced that Ms. Pam Marshall and Ms. Carey Davis, scientists from the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth, Texas ("UNTHSC"), gave presentations at the recent American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) meeting in Seattle, WA, on the potential use of pressure cycling technology (PCT) in forensics. The scientists were invited by Promega Corporation to present UNTHSC findings in Promega's booth on the tradeshow floor during the meeting. In two separate talks entitled "Pressure Cycling Technology (PCT) Applications for DNA Extractions from Bone Using the Promega Maxwell(R) 16", data showed that PBI's PCT Sample Preparation System (PCT SPS) when used in combination with Promega's Maxwell(R) 16 instrument for automated nucleic acid extraction was capable of extracting improved yields of DNA from poor quality human bone to increase the potential for genetically characterizing such forensic type materials.
Mr. Len Goren, Global Director, Genetic Identity at Promega Corporation, said: "We invited scientists from UNTHSC and other laboratories to present data from our booth at the AAFS meeting as a means of letting scientists know about current methods and research findings in forensics. As expected, the information proved to be of great interest to scientists."
Data presented by Ms. Marshall and Ms. Davis are a subset of a more comprehensive study originally presented by Dr. Suzanne Gonzalez at the 20th International Symposium on Human Identification (ISHI), entitled "Pressure Cycling Technology (PCT) Applications for DNA Extractions from Challenging Forensic Samples." In addition to bone data, Dr. Gonzalez and her colleagues have also demonstrated the use of the PCT SPS to extract DNA from human hair for forensic identity testing. Their presentation slides can be viewed by visiting PBI's website.
Mr. Matthew Potter, Vice President of Sales for PBI, stated: "We are very pleased that Promega invited the UNTHSC scientists to present data at AAFS. We believe that the ongoing research at UNTHSC and in other laboratories will continue to show that PCT can enable forensic scientists to obtain increased yields and higher quality DNA from difficult to extract forensics samples, such as bone and hair. Such increased yields could also prove to be of significant value when only low copy amounts of DNA can be recovered from a crime scene or difficult forensic sample."
About Pressure BioSciences, Inc.
Pressure BioSciences, Inc. (PBI) is a publicly traded company focused on the development of a novel, enabling technology called Pressure Cycling Technology (PCT). PCT uses cycles of hydrostatic pressure between ambient and ultra-high levels (up to 35,000 psi and greater) to control bio-molecular interactions. PBI currently holds 14 US and 10 foreign patents covering multiple applications of PCT in the life sciences field, including genomic and proteomic sample preparation, pathogen inactivation, the control of chemical and enzymatic reactions, immunodiagnostics, and protein purification. PBI currently focuses its efforts in the development and sale of PCT-enhanced enzymatic digestion products designed specifically for the mass spectrometry marketplace, as well as sample preparation products for biomarker discovery, soil and plant biology, forensics, histology, and counter-bioterror applications.
Forward Looking Statements
Statements contained in this press release regarding the Company's intentions, hopes, beliefs, expectations, or predictions of the future are "forward-looking'' statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward looking statements include statements regarding the use, capabilities, and benefits of the Company's Pressure Cycling Technology Sample Preparation System (PCT SPS) for the extraction of DNA from challenging forensic samples, including bone and hair; the potential for PCT to be a valuable tool for DNA typing and for genetically characterizing forensic materials; that the data generated by UNTHSC is both significant and compelling; that the information presented at AAFS was of great value to scientists; that on-going research will continue to show that PCT can result in increased yields and greater quality DNA from forensic samples; and that such greater yields can be of significant value when low amounts of DNA are recovered. These statements are based upon the Company's current expectations, forecasts, and assumptions that are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties, and other factors include, but are not limited to: possible difficulties or delays in the implementation of the Company's strategies that may adversely affect the Company's continued commercialization of PCT and its PCT-dependent products; changes in customer's needs and technological innovations; other forensic scientists may not achieve the same results with PCT reported by the scientists at UNTHSC; the Company's sales force may not be successful in selling the Company's PCT product line because scientists may not perceive the advantages of PCT over other sample preparation methods, including in the investigative forensics area; and due to unforeseen costs or delays, the Company may require additional working capital to fund its operations before 2011. Additional risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements are discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, and other reports filed by the Company from time to time with the SEC. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any of the information included in this release, except as otherwise required by law.
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CONTACT: Pressure BioSciences, Inc.
Investor Contacts:
Richard T. Schumacher, CEO
R. Wayne Fritzsche, Chairman
(508) 230-1828
Released March 12, 2010