28. April 2013 - CeGaT introduces Panels for Mitochondriopathies

Together with its clinical partners Prof. Thomas Meitinger and Dr. Holger Prokisch (TU München), Prof. Peter Freisinger (Department of Pediatrics Reutlingen Hospital) and Dr. Hans Mayr (Mito-Center Salzburg-München) and in collaboration with mitoGENE as part of mitoNET, CeGaT developed Diagnostic Panels for comprehensive molecular analysis of mitochondriopathies.

The 2 Panels (MIT01 and MIT02) consist of 37 genes of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and 175 nuclear encoded genes associated with mitochondiopathies. This enables comprehensive diagnostics of these heterogeneous diseases. In case of negative test results, the analysis can be expanded to all nuclear encoded genes (>1000) and beyond by means of whole exome sequencing.

06. January 2013 - New Diagnostic Panels for Cardiac, Skin and Kidney Diseases, Autism Spectrum Disorders and Mitochondriopathies

CeGaT has developed new Diagnostic Panels for inherited

• cardiac diseases,
  
• skin diseases,
  
• kidney diseases,
  
• autism spectrum disorders and
  
• mitochondriopathies

increasing the number of panels to more than 100.

The cardiac panels allow comprehensive diagnosis in over 150 genes associated with cardiomyopathies, arrhythmias and congenital heart defects. For detailed information follow this link.

The panels for inherited skin disorders including over 200 genes will comprise heterogeneous entities such as epidermolysis, disorders of keratinisation, pigmentation and ektodermal structures as well as various diseases showing dermatologic symptoms.

The kidney panels covering over 120 genes will focus on isolated and syndromal forms of cystic kidney diseases as well as on various heterogenous nephrologic diseases such as nephrotic syndrome, Alport syndrome, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, hemolytic uremic syndrome and Bartter syndrome.

CeGat has developed a panel for comprehensive genetic testing of genes associated with autism spectrum disorders. With the autism panel over 150 genes will be analysed simultaneously.

In cooperation with MitoNet CeGaT will offer a mitochondriopathy panel for genetic diagnostics of all mitochondrial disorders. This panel includes complete sequencing of the mtDNA as well as over 150 nuclear encoded mitochondrial genes associated with mitochondriopathies.

25. November 2012 - CeGaT introduces new Diagnostic Panels

CeGaT has established new Diagnostic Panels for

• Brain Development Disorders
  3 Subpanels - 72 Genes

• Ciliopathies
  4 Subpanels - 56 Genes

• Connetive Tissue Disease
  Stickler-Syndrom
  1 Subpanel - 5 Genes

• Rasopathies
  1 Subpanel - 12 Genes

Meanwhile we are offering 78 different Diagnostic Panels. Please have a look at our Diagnostic Panel website.

21. November 2012 - CeGaT among the most innovative companies

For its Diagnostic Panels, CeGaT was selected to be one of the finalists of this year's Innovation Price (Dr.-Rudolf-Eberle-Prize) hosted by the Ministry of Economics of the State of Baden-Württemberg (South-West Germany).

This photo shows the finalists together with the state officials.

16. November 2012 - Collaboration between CeGaT and Amplexa

CeGaT and Amplexa (Odense, Danmark) will collaborate on diagnostic gene tests. For both comapnies delivering the highest possible quality for the sequencing process and for the interpretation of data / issuing the medical report is priority number one. Please see our joint press release.

07. November 2012 - CeGaT starts "Free Exomes Project"

To celebrate its successful participation in Boston Children's Hospital Clarity Challenge, CeGaT together with Genomatix offers a free sequencing and analysis of 18 exomes. This free exomes project will build on the experiences gained in the CLARITY challenge and hopefully allow medical doctors and patients to find better treatment options by understanding the cause of the diseases. Its goal is to follow the CLARITY mission to improve the clinical relevance of genetic analysis in hospitals.

Hospitals and medical doctors who are interested in registering for this project will find more information and the application form at our site "Free Exomes".

07. November 2012 - Finalist of the Clarity Challenge

Interpretation of genome and exome data sets in a clinical setting is one of the major challenges in the next-generation-sequencing area. The Boston’s Children’s Hospital sent out genome and exome data sets of three families to 30 teams worldwide incl. BGI, NIH and other well-known sequencing centres, see http://genes.childrenshospital.org. The aim of the CLARITY Challenge was not only to solve the three cases but also to standardize methods for analyzing, interpreting, reporting and, ultimately, using genomic information in a clinical setting. To achieve this, CeGaT and Genomatix successfully combined their expertise and services to solve the cases within the time limit given and identify best methods and practices to provide meaningful results to medical doctors, patients and their families

CeGaT is thrilled that it is awarded finalist (Top 3) in the Clarity Challenge together with its partner Genomatix.

The official CLARITY video from the Boston's Children's Hospital is available here, for a joint press release please click this link.

06. November 2012 - CeGaT achieves 2nd place at Deloittes Fast 50 competition

With a total growth of more than 3,200 % in the last 3 years, CeGaT was awarded the 2nd place in the Rising-Stars category of Deloittes Fast 50 competition. With this award Deloitte honours the 50 fastest growing companies in Germany.

27. September 2012 - New Diagnostic Panels for neuromuscular diseases, Charcot-Marie-Tooth, and Long QT-Syndrome

CeGaT now offers new Panels for neuromuscular diseases, Charcot-Marie-Tooth and long QT-syndrome allowing an extensive genetic diagnostic of the following diseases: Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, Myopathy, Muscular Dystrophy, Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy, Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome, Myotonia, Metabolic Myopathy and Long QT-syndrome. The Panels consisting of 499 genes in total are:

• Panel 1: Spinal Muscular Atrophy
• Panel 2: Charcot-Marie-Tooth and Sensory Neuropathies
• Panel 3: Congenital and Distal Myopathy
• Panel 4: Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy
• Panel 5: Muscular Dystrophy
• Panel 6: Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome
• Panel 7: Myotonia
• Panel 8: Metabolic Myopathy
• Panel 9: Long-QT Syndrome

For further information and more details, please use the following link.

04. September 2012 - Free-of-charge Pedigree Chart Designer (PCD)

CeGaT just released its Pedigree Chart Designer (PCD), a program to draw pedigree charts. The PCD allows you to design, store, load, and print pedigree charts. If you need to change or extend a pedigree chart that you created and stored before, you can load it into the Pedigree Chart Designer and start amending it. We are using a widely used notation for our Pedigree Chart Designer. The PCD should be intuitively usable, but a user manual is also available.

You are welcome to using the created pedigree charts in whatever way you like, for example in medical history files, in presentations or in an order for genetic testing.

27. July 2012 - Epilepsy, Migraine and Metabolic Disorder Panel update

CeGaT has improved its Epilepsy, Migraine and Metabolic Disorder Panels. In order to remain up to date with the latest scientific findings, we have added 34 new genes. The Epilepsy, Migraine and Metabolic Disorder Panels now include 361 genes. They have been grouped into 16 new panels, designed to represent different disease patterns. The Panels are:

• Panel 1: Generalized / Myoclonic Epilepsy, Febrile Seizures, Absences (38 Genes)
• Panel 2: Epileptic Encephalopathies (50 Genes)
• Panel 3: Epilepsy and X-linked Mental Retardation (29 Genes)
• Panel 4: CDG (Congenital Disorder of Glycosylation) Syndrome (24 Genes)
• Panel 5: Ceroidlipofuscinosis (9 Genes)
• Panel 6: Coenzyme Q Deficiency Syndrome (5 Genes)
• Panel 7: Joubert Syndrome (17 Genes)
• Panel 8: Selected Mitochondrial Disorders (36 Genes)
• Panel 9: Lysosomal Storage Disorders (60 Genes)
• Panel 10: Severe Microcephaly and Pontocerebellar Hypoplasia (22 Genes)
• Panel 11: Leukodystrophies and Disorders of Peroxisome Biogenesis (38 Genes)
• Panel 12: Disorders of the Ras/MAPK Pathway, Dysmorphic Syndromes and Others (53 Genes)
• Panel 13: Neuronal Migration Disorders (43 Genes)
• Panel 14: Migraine (6 Genes)
• Panel 15: Hyperekplexia (5 Genes)
• Panel 16: Holoprosencephaly (9 Genes)

01. July 2012 - New FISH test available

CeGaT has together with Prof. Perner established a large number of FISH tests that are immediately available:

• 24 Break-Apart FISH Probe Kits
• 29 Locus specific FISH Sondes.

Of course we still offer the development of FISH kits and FISH assays for all genes. Please also have a look at Customized FISH Assays.

30. May 2012 - 265 genes at once!

A team led by the EuroEPINOMICS researchers Johannes Lemke and Saskia Biskup has now evaluated the feasibility of targeted Next Generation Sequencing of a panel of epilepsy genes and the results published in Epilepsia last week are quite impressive. With their panel of 265 genes, they identified mutations in 16/33 patients with unclassified, presumably genetic epilepsy. While the overall yield of this candidate panel is probably lower than the impressive 50% in their pioneer study, these results clearly show that the general workflow in the epilepsy clinic is ready to shift from candidate gene screening to Next Generation panel analysis.

Further information are also available at the EuroEPIGENOMICS website.

See the complete publication here.

23. April 2012 - CeGaT offers new Tumor-Panels

CeGaT offers now diagnostic-panels for hereditary tumor diseases:

• Colon cancer/adenoma
• Breast/Ovarian Cancer
• Prostate Cancer
• Pheochromocytoma/Paraganglioma
• other familial tumors

Actually CeGaT offers 60 different diagnostic-panels for various disease symptoms. Further information is available at "Diagnostic Panels".

31. January 2012 - B Braun takes an interest in CeGaT

B Braun Melsungen AG acquired a 20 % interest in CeGaT GmbH. With this investment B Braun for the first time enters the market for genetic diagnostics. B. Braun is a German based service provider for the health market with more than 43,000 employees and annual sales of EUR 4.4bn.The investment of B Braun gives CeGaT the opportunity to even further extend our range of Diagnostic Panels and to distribute them internationally.

16. January 2012 - New CeGaT-Panels

CeGaT introduced new Diagnostic Panels for Movements Disorders and Neurodegenerative Diseases:

• Dystonia - 4 Sub-Panels, 27 genes
• Neuroakanthocythosis - 1 Panel, 4 genes
• Neurodegeneration with Brain Iron Accumulation (NBIA) - 1 Panel, 8 genes
• Neuromuscular Diseases - approx. 500 genes, details to come

For further information, please visit the section Diagnostic Panels.

13. January 2012 - CeGaT invests in Ion Torrent

CeGaT just equipped its lab with an Ion Torrent Personal Genome Analyzer from Life Technologies. This brand new technology will be used for fast turn-around Diagnostic Panels and soon also for whole exome and transcriptome sequencing. Now CeGaT lab is equipped with a broad range of sequencing technologies and automized sample preparation ranging from two SOLiD 5500xl, over an Ion Torrent to a 96 capillary sequencer and Agilent BRAVO and EZ Bead systems.

27. October 2011 - Second SOLiD 5500xl

CeGaT increased its capacities of its Next-Generation-Sequencing facility. Our lab is now equipped with:

• Two SOLiD 5500xl
• Two SOLiD 4
• Agilent BRAVO
• Library Builder

This enables us to decipher up to 600 billion basepairs per week.

20. October 2011 - CeGaT Lab officially accredited

CeGaT is now officially accredited as Molecular Human Genetic Diagnostics Laboratory according to DIN EN ISO 15189:2007. Please have a look at the certificate from the German Accreditation Body.

15. October 2011 - CeGaT is Finalist for STEP Award 2011

Once again, CeGaT is nominated as finalists for one of the most prestigious awards for young and innovative companies. We are very proud to be among the finalists for the STEP Award 2011 presented by Hoechst Infraserv and F.A.Z. Institute.

30. September 2011 - CeGaT and Genomnia to cooperate on Italian market

CeGaT and Genomnia srl have signed an agreement for the promotion and distribution in Italy of sequencing-based diagnostic tests on Life Technologies' SOLiD machine for epilepsy and metabolic diseases, dementia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and hereditary eye diseases panels developed by CeGaT. Please see our joint press release.

28. June 2011 - CeGaT wins German Gründer Prize

CeGaT is the "Best German Start-Up Company 2011" and wins the most prestigious prize for entrepreneurs (Gründer) in Germany. The well-known Gründer Prize is promoted by Stern, Sparkasse, Porsche, and ZDF.

 Saskia Biskup (CEO) at the awarding in Berlin, 28. June 2011.

01. Juni 2011 - CeGaT upgrades its Epilepsy Panels

Based on the latest research further genes have been added to the existing Epilepsy panels. Furthermore we have introduced 6 new panels. We are now offering 20 Epilepsy panels with in total 327 genes:

• Epilepsy Panel 1: Generalized / Myoclonic Epilepsy, Febrile Seizures, Absences (now 38 genes)
• Epilepsy Panel 2: Epileptic Encephalopathies (now 30 genes) 
• Epilepsy Panel 3: Epilepsy and X-linked Mental Retardation (now 25 genes)
• Epilepsy Panel 4: CDG (Congenital Disorder of Glycosylation) Syndrome (now 23 genes)
• Epilepsy Panel 5: Ceroidlipofuscinosis (now 8 genes)
• Epilepsy Panel 6: Coenzyme Q Deficiency Syndrome (now 5 genes)
• Epilepsy Panel 7: Joubert Syndrome (now 10 genes)
• Epilepsy Panel 8: Selected Mitochondrial Disorders (now 35 nuclear encoded genes)
• Epilepsy Panel 9: Lissencephaly and Polymicrogyria (now 18 genes)
• Epilepsy Panel 10: Microcephaly and Pontocerebellar Hypoplasia (now 22 genes)
• Epilepsy Panel 11: MPS and Mucolipidosis (now 15 genes)
• new: Epilepsy Panel 12: Disorders of the Ras-MAPK Pathway (14 genes)
• Epilepsy Panel 13: Walker-Warburg Syndrome (now 6 genes)
• Epilepsy Panel 14: Zellweger Syndrome (now 9 genes)
• Epilepsy Panel 15: Metabolic Disorders (now 50 genes)
• new: Epilepsy Panel 16: Leukodystrophies (20 genes)
• new: Epilepsy Panel 17: Migraine (6 genes)
• new: Epilepsy Panel 18: Hyperekplexia (5 genes)
• new: Epilepsy Panel 19: Holoprosencephaly (8 genes)
• new: Epilepsy Panel 20: Neuronal Migration Disorders (31 genes)

Further information are available at Epilepsy Panels.

01. March 2011 - CeGaT upgrades to SOLiD 5500xl

Beginning of 2011 CeGaT has ordered the SOLiD 5500xl system. As official service provider of Applied Biosystems / life technologies we will be among the first using this technology. Per run we will be able to generate up to 180 Gb (= 180.000.000.000 bases). With the new nanobeads which will be available soon this output can be further increased up to approx. 300 Gb per run. The accuracy obtained is at more than 99.99%. Further information regarding the SOLiD 5500xl can be found at Applied Biosystems / life technologies.

20. December 2010 - New Retina Panels

CeGaT introduces three additional Diagnostic Panels for Hereditary Eye Diseases, namely:

1. Stargardt disease and macular dystrophies (11 genes)
2. Cone rod dystrophies (25 genes)
3. Flecked retina disorders (6 genes)

We are now offering 32 Diagnostic Panels. They are:

• Dementia and ALS
  (1 Panel - 20 genes)
• Parkinson Syndrome
  (1 Panel - 16 genes)
• Epilepsy
  (15 Panels - 265 genes)
• Hereditary Eye Diseases
  (15 Panels - 196 genes)

For further information please visit the section Diagnostic Panels.

14. November 2010 - Exome Sequencing and Nature Genetics

The group of Dr. Holger Prokisch, Institute of Human Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum, Munich, Germany, was able to identify a new gene (ACAD9) as cause of complex I deficiency, a severe mitochondrial disorder. The gene was identified through Exome Sequencing performed at CeGaT GmbH.
Most interestingly, this study demonstrates how Exome Sequencing can contribute to finding the underlying gene and by this laying out the basis for functional experiments that can lead to new treatment options in so far undiagnosed cases.

Please see our full Press Release.

01. November 2010 - CeGaT offers Customized FISH Assays

Starting today, CeGaT together with Prof. Perner, Director of the Institute of Prostate Cancer Research, University Hospital of Bonn, offers the development of FISH assays for in-situ detection of amplifications, deletions, and translocations for nealy all gene loci, tailored to individual needs. Upon request we perform in-situ hybridisation on your material and the analysis of the experiments.

Further information are available at Customized FISH Assays.

26. October 2010 - CeGaT in GenomeWeb / InSequence

Today Monica Heger of GenomeWeb / InSequence published an article on CeGaT and its diagnostic panels. Please have a look at: CeGaT in GenomeWeb.

02. June 2010 - New Epilepsy Panels

CeGaT introduced 15 Epilepsy Panels in June 2010. With these Diagnostic Panels all genes associated with Epilepsy can be sequenced simultaneously on our SOLiD 4 platform. We offer a full Epilepsy Diagnostic (Sequencing on SOLiD 4 system, Data Analysis, Re-Sequencing of Variants, Report) for each of our panels.

We are now offering 28 Diagnostic Panels. They are:

• Dementia and ALS
  (1 Panel - 20 genes)

• Parkinson Syndrome
  (1 Panel - 16 genes)

• Epilepsy
  (15 Panels - 238 genes)

• Hereditary Eye Diseases
  (11 Panels - 168 genes)

For further information please go to: Diagnostic Panels

01. June 2010 - CeGaT Roadshow

The first CeGaT Roadshow will be held in Göttingen, Germany. On June 18, 2010, we will present applications and data for the SOLiD 4 technology together with Applied Biosystems / life technologies. Furthermore we will elaborate on our Diagnostic Panels recently introduced to the market.

The event is hosted by Prof. Nave, Director of the Department Neurogenetics, Max-Planck-Institute for Experimental Medicine. Please have a look at the attached Flyer with the agenda. If you are interested in joining this event, please send a short mail to roadshow@cegat.de.

28. May 2010 - Scientific Advisory Board: Prof. Dr. Peter Freisinger

CeGaT GmbH welcomes Prof. Dr. Peter Freisinger as a new member of the Scientific Advisory Board. Prof. Freisinger is the Physician-in-Chief of Pediatric Medicine in Reutlingen, Germany. He is specialized in metabolic and mitochondrial disorders, skeletal dysplasias, and neurodevelopmental diseases. Furthermore he has a focus on perinatal medicine in neonatology. Prof. Freisinger will consult CeGaT GmbH with respect to metabolic and mitochondrial diagostics.

02. May 2010 - Price Dump for Exome and Transcriptome Sequencing!

Despite the introduction of the new SOLiD 4 Technology, CeGaT GmbH has reduced its prices for exome and transcriptome sequencing! For details go to Exome Sequencing and Transcriptome Sequencing or have a look at the attached Flyer.

30. April 2010 - SOLiD 4 Technology

CeGaT GmbH has upgraded its Next-Generation-Sequencing Facility to the latest available technology of ABI / life technologies. Now we are able to generate up to 100 billion base pairs per run. This means that the coverage per run has doubled and thus significantly more reads are generated for exome and transcriptome sequencing.

15. April 2010 - Scientific Advisory Board: Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Berger

CeGaT GmbH welcomes Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Berger as a new member of the Scientific Advisory Board. Prof. Berger is Director of the Institute of Medical Genetics, Division of Medical Molecular Genetics & Gene Diagnostics at University of Zurich. He will consult CeGaT GmbH with respect to genetic eye diseases and will coordinate the development of the retina-panels for Next Generation Sequencing together with Prof. Dr. Bernd Wissinger, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen.

01. March 2010 - CeGaT strengthens its Team: Dr. Christian Wilhelm

CeGaT GmbH welcomes Christian Wilhelm, PhD, as new Director of Molecular Diagnostics. Dr. Wilhelm is highly knowledgeable with the techniques and methods of molecular diagnostics and will strengthen the CeGaT team with his long-lasting expertise.

14. September 2009 - Sequencing Software

CeGAT GmbH decides to introduce the SeqPilot from JSI Medisys as their sequencing software for DNA diagnostics.

31. August 2009 - CeGAT GmbH becomes official Service Provider of ABI

CeGAT is the only German company offering the SOLiD 3 Technology of Applied Biosystems (ABI) / life technologies. Since August 31, 2009, CeGAT has been an official service provider of ABI. The cooperation comprises all applications with regard to High-Throughput-Sequencing.