Overview

Dragon Genomics, a subsidiary wholly owned by Takara Biomedical Group, was established in July 2000, envisioning to be the largest genome analysis center in Asia. Having sequencing capacity exceeding 62 million bases per day to generate DNA sequence data, DGC’s mission is to provide integrated biotechnological support services in conjunction with PCR, DNA chip and beads technologies of the Takara Biomedical Group. DGC’s goal is to provide a range of services based on genomic analyses.

DGC allots part of its capacity to its own projects as well as sequencing services. Its real purpose is to construct a database of Asians’ genomes, beginning with the Mongolians.

DGC also deciphers nonhuman genomes, including primates, seaweeds and mushrooms. Comparing those with the human genomes, DGC aims to clarify the mechanisms of human diseases, and to release the obtained data for business in drug discovery, agriculture, foods and other areas.

Genome analysis consists of three steps, and Takara Biomedical group has established three independent R&D centers to handle each of the steps during large-scale genome analysis. The first step is preparation of DNA samples by Takara Biotechnology (Dalian) in China. The second step is DNA sequencing by Dragon Genomics. The third step is functional DNA analysis by Takara Biomedical Group.

Dragon Genomics cooperates with Takara’s affiliates, with the Takara Biomedical Group at the center, to provide genome analysis services, ranging from genome sequence analysis to functional analyses, such as expression and proteome analyses. The company also has introduced technology from GeneFormatics to predict function of proteins by in silico analysis and to analyze 3-dimensional structures by high-throughput NMR, as one aspect of proteome analysis.

Partners

The company has acquired the intellectual property rights to the ASIN method developed by Nucleics, which makes it possible to increase the speed of deciphering genomic DNA base sequences five to 10 times that of conventional methods. The Takara Biomedical Group also has obtained the worldwide license to develop, manufacture and sell DNA chips from Affymetrix Inc.