Texas Institute For Genomic Medicine Announces First Installation Of OmniBank(R) II Mouse Gene Knockout Library

The Texas Institute for Genomic
Medicine announced today that the first installation of the OmniBank II
library of knockout mouse embryonic stem cell clones has been completed by
Lexicon Genetics Incorporated (Nasdaq: LEXG). The initial installation
contains more than 90,000 clones, each representing an embryonic stem cell
line in which a single gene has been disrupted, or knocked out. Knockouts
of more than 6,000 distinct genes are included in the initial library
delivery and will be accessible to researchers worldwide. The library is
designed to contain multiple clones for each gene to ensure the successful
creation of knockout mice. The cell lines in the library have been
generated in the C57BL/6 mouse genetic background and are engineered for
the study of gene function, allowing researchers to study the involvement
of specific genes in a wide variety of diseases and conditions. This is the
largest collection of C57BL/6 mouse gene knockouts in the world.


When complete in early 2008, the OmniBank II library will house 350,000
mouse embryonic stem cell clones and is expected to cover between 65% and
70% of all mouse genes. The first installation of the library was completed
one month ahead of schedule and includes 20% more clones than originally
anticipated. The next installation is expected to be completed in December
2006. Through the Institute's agreement with Lexicon, researchers may also
access specific cells from Lexicon's existing OmniBank library of 270,000
mouse embryonic stem cell lines in the 129SvEv genetic background.


The OmniBank II library will be delivered to Texas Institute for
Genomic Medicine facilities in Houston at the Texas Medical Center and in
College Station. Construction of a new building in College Station to house
one copy of the library is scheduled to begin with a groundbreaking
ceremony on June 20, 2006.


"The speed at which the OmniBank II library of mouse embryonic stem
cell clones is coming on-line is impressive," said Richard H. Finnell,
Ph.D., executive director and president of the Texas Institute for Genomic
Medicine. "Researchers can gain access to this valuable resource through
the Texas Institute for Genomic Medicine. We believe OmniBank II will
facilitate the understanding of the function of genes, with strong positive
implications for human and veterinary health."


Researchers interested in obtaining knockout mice generated from
OmniBank and OmniBank II mouse embryonic stem cell clones should contact
the Texas Institute for Genomic Medicine at tigm .


About the Texas Institute for Genomic Medicine


The Texas Institute for Genomic Medicine is a non profit institute
created under an award from the Texas Enterprise Fund to pioneer the
development of life-changing medical breakthroughs, accelerate the pace of
medical discoveries and foster the development of the biotechnology
industry in Texas. Using its patented gene knockout technologies, Lexicon
Genetics Incorporated is creating for the Institute a comprehensive
knockout mouse embryonic stem cell library containing 350,000 cell lines.


The Institute will make cells from its library available to researchers
worldwide. It is based in Houston and College Station.


OmniBank(R) is a registered trademark of Lexicon Genetics Incorporated.


Texas Institute for Genomic Medicine

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