Ocimum Biosolutions has announced the launch of its mass spectrometry services using MALDI-TOF (Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation-time of flight) system in India. MALDI-TOF system not only provides reliable mass information with higher sensitivity and throughput, but also reduces the need for individual assay optimization for molecular identification and characterization.

The most important benefit that MALDI-TOF system offers is that it allows extremely small amount of samples (10-12 to 10-15 moles) to be characterized. Moreover, MALDI-TOF system works out to be cheaper for large number of samples as it provides faster analysis times, allows high sample throughput, and is more accurate. MALDI-TOF system allows analysis of mixtures and different classes of biopolymers, including peptides, oligonucleotides, glycoconjugates, and synthetic polymers. Ocimum has used MALDI-TOF services in day-to-day research solutions, project management and in providing biomolecules under GMP conditions with QC analysis. MALDI-TOF finds applications in key industries such as food and nutrition, molecular diagnostics, environmental research and biopharmaceuticals.

Ms. Anu Acharya, CEO, Ocimum Biosolutions, said, "We are very excited to launch the MALDI-TOF services in India. Through these services, we would assist scientists find solutions for their day-to-day research problems, manage their scientific projects, and provide biomolecules under GMP conditions. This launch would enable us to provide the scientific community with an entire gamut of cutting-edge services that facilitate the discovery process."

About Ocimum Biosolutions

Ocimum, is a global integrated genomic services company with operations in Hyderabad, India and Gaithersburg, MD. We provide comprehensive (research level and GLP-compliant) genomic services, reference databases, and LIMS solutions. Our distinct platform "Research as a Service" (RaaS) allows complete outsourcing of genomics - from storing biological samples and performing on demand DNA and RNA based services to validating biomarkers using our proprietary databases and providing data and bioinformatic analysis. We have been chosen as a global preferred outsourcing provider for more than 75% of top 25 phama and biotech companies plus leading research institutes. Our partners recognize our expertise for understanding disease mechanisms in correlation with discovery, prioritization of gene targets and biomarkers, and sample analysis for clinical studies.

With our global infrastructure's standardized procedures, capacity, and highly skilled staff, we are capable of supporting drug development programs from pre-clinical target development and toxicogenomic assessment to clinical biomarker identification and patient stratification. Our expertise is unparalleled and was gained through the creation of the world's largest commercial gene expression databases - BioExpress® and ToxExpress®. Ocimum has been consistently ranked as India's fastest growing biotechnology company and one of the fastest growing technology companies over the last five years by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu.

For more information, please visit www.ocimumbio.com