Significant Improvements in DNA Yield From Challenging Forensic Samples Reported With Pressure Cycling Technology (PCT)
SOUTH EASTON, Mass., Oct. 21, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pressure BioSciences, Inc. (Nasdaq:PBIO) ("PBI" and the "Company") today announced that scientists from the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth, Texas ("UNTHSC") reported notable improvements in the yields of DNA from challenging forensic samples -- such as human hair and bone samples -- when the Company's pressure cycling technology ("PCT") was added to the DNA extraction workflow, as compared to the workflow without PCT.
Data were presented by two UNTHSC scientists at the 20th International Symposium on Human Identification on October 14th in Las Vegas, Nevada. Dr. Suzanne Gonzalez, R&D lab manager at the UNT Center for Human Identification ("UNTCHI"), gave an oral presentation entitled "Pressure Cycling Technology (PCT) Applications for DNA Extractions from Challenging Forensics Samples." In addition, Ms. Elizabeth Feller, a research scientist at UNTCHI, presented a scientific poster entitled "DNA Extraction from Hair Using Pressure Cycling Technology."
Dr. Suzanne Gonzalez, co-principal investigator of the two studies, commented: "Our results indicate that PCT extraction followed by DNA purification offers an excellent enhancement to conventional extraction procedures. Potential benefits include increased DNA yield, reduced processing time, cost reduction, and the elimination of hazardous organic reagents used in most common extraction techniques for challenged forensic samples."
Dr. Bruce Budowle, Executive Director of the Institute of Investigative Genetics at UNTHSC, said: "We conducted an evaluation of PCT's ability to extract DNA from a variety of forensic samples. Our data show that this novel extraction method can increase the amount of DNA recovered for downstream analysis from forensic samples, including aged, degraded, damaged, inhibited, or otherwise challenging samples. Importantly, PCT has the concomitant benefit of decreasing both labor time and consumables cost required for DNA analysis. Based on these findings, we believe that PCT can be a valuable tool in the repertoire to augment the DNA typing workflow."
Dr. Nathan Lawrence, VP of Marketing at PBI, commented: "UNTHSC -- a leading, well-respected forensics center -- is led by one of the nation's top investigative forensic scientists, Dr. Art Eisenberg. We are thrilled that UNTCHI chose to evaluate the efficacy of PCT when added to DNA extraction procedures. We believe that the data they generated are both significant and compelling, and clearly show the advantages of adding PCT to the DNA typing workflow. We are honored that Dr. Eisenberg and his team chose to present these exciting data at such an important, international forensics meeting."
Mr. Richard T. Schumacher, President and CEO of PBI, added: "We believe that these data, when combined with recent results from other leading laboratories, strongly suggest that PCT can be a valuable addition to the workflow of the DNA typing laboratories of crime labs, forensic companies, academic institutions, and research facilities. We believe that there are over 1,000 such laboratories worldwide. We have initiated a plan to get the UNTHSC data and other information on the advantages of PCT to these labs over the coming months. This plan includes discussions with potential distribution partners, which have already begun. We believe that the widespread dissemination of this information will result in a measurable increase in sales of our PCT products in the forensics area in the short and long-term."
About the International Symposium on Human Identification
With an average attendance of well over 650 people, the annual International Symposium on Human Identification provides a forum for sharing information on new or improved forensic applications and methods with scientists, crime labs, other professionals, and forensic companies involved in the field of DNA typing from around the world.
About the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification
The University of North Texas Center for Human Identification ("UNTCHI") is one of the leading investigative forensics laboratories in the world. As part of their mission, scientists at UNTCHI evaluate the most advanced DNA, forensic, and anthropological tools available for the identification of missing persons and human remains. They also investigate, validate, and report on the overall performance of cutting-edge DNA typing and other forensic procedures and technologies to help bring the next generation of new, valuable tools to forensic testing laboratories. Such tools are invaluable for solving crimes (including homicides and sexual assaults), and for solving cold and missing person cases.
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 13 US and 6 foreign patents covering multiple applications of PCT in the life sciences field, including genomic and proteomic sample preparation, pathogen inactivation, the control of chemical (primarily 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; that PCT offers advantages in the extraction of DNA over conventional extraction procedures, including benefits in quality, speed, cost, and utility; the potential for PCT to be a valuable tool for DNA typing; that the data generated by UNTCHI is both significant and compelling; that there are over 1,000 forensic labs worldwide; and that the dissemination of the data will result in increased sales of PCT products. 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 UNTCHI; and 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. Further, the Company expects that it will need additional capital to fund its continuing operations beyond the second quarter of 2010. 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, President & CEO
R. Wayne Fritzsche, Chairman
(508) 230-1828
Released October 21, 2009