ISRAEL 
HIGH-TECH & INVESTMENT REPORT

from the April 2002 issue


Excerpts from Original Presentations at Biotech 2002


A novel computational technology that enables the prediction of the 3D structure of G-Protein Coupled Receptors, one of the most important drug target groups; in-silico targeted screening technology for the rapid screening of millions of molecules; and use of a 3D model structure approach to speed up drug optimization.
--Dr. Oren Becker, Predix Pharmaceuticals, Israel


The discovery of two novel prostate-specific proteins encoded by alternative mRNA splice variants of the genes for prostate specific antigen (PSA) and its related protein, human kallikrein 2 (hK2). The novel transcripts were predicted using Compugen's proprietary LEADS computational biology platform and then verified in Compugen's molecular biology laboratory
--Dr. Mor Amitai, Compugen Ltd., Israel


How AstraZeneca integrates high speed technologies and large genomic drug discovery programs, combinatorial and computational chemical platforms in identification of chemical leads, and integrative pharmacology for selection of therapeutic concepts.
--Dr. M. Dohlsten, AstraZeneca, Sweden


A breakthrough in schizophrenia drug research. For the first time certain genes have been identified as schizophrenia risk factors. This breakthrough is based on a technology for identifying disease risk factors in a general population, developed utilizing the high level of genetic homogeneity among the Ashkenazi Jewish population.
--Dr. Ariel Darvasi, IDgene Pharmaceuticals, Israel


Computational tools that show how genes influence other genes via proteins. This innovative system was developed to detect the influence on known genomic networks and pathways as a result of the introduction of certain putative genes.
--Prof. Ron Shamir, Tel Aviv University


New structural bioinformatics tools for in-silico target detection and drug screening, in particular algorithms for detection of novel structural and functional motifs, protein active sites and prediction of protein-binding characteristics. These tools speed up drug discovery by minimizing the number of drug candidates that need to be tested in the lab and on patients.
--Prof. H. Wolfson, Tel-Aviv University


The Weizmann Institute Genome Center as a model for combining gene discovery, integrated database development and DNA microarrays. All three activities revolve around the development of a strong capacity in computational genomics and bioinformatics.
--Prof. D. Lancet, Weizmann Institute of Science

Reprinted from the Israel High-Tech & Investment Report April 2002

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