Pacific Biosciences Releases Software to Detect DNA Base Modifications Using the PacBio® RS

Researchers Now Have the First Ever Tool to Detect Epigenetic and

Other DNA Modifications Simultaneously within the Sequencing Workflow

MENLO PARK, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–

Pacific Biosciences of California, Inc., (NASDAQ:PACB) today launched a

new and unique solution to detect DNA base modifications associated with

epigenetic regulation and DNA damage using the PacBio^® RS High

Resolution Genetic Analyzer.

DNA base modifications such as methylation have an important role in a

wide variety of biological processes such as growth and aging, immunity,

bacterial pathogenicity, and disease development. The new analysis

software for the PacBio^® RS enables customers to

detect and visualize these DNA modifications. The software works by

measuring the rate of DNA base incorporation during sequencing. This

information, automatically gathered during the sequence process, is a

unique feature of the company’s single molecule, real-time (SMRT^®)

technology.

“We are pleased to provide the first and only tool that offers

researchers worldwide the ability to detect base modifications as an

integral part of the sequencing workflow,” said Kevin Corcoran, Senior

Vice President of Market Development at Pacific Biosciences. “This is a

major milestone for Pacific Biosciences and a valuable new tool for the

scientific community.”

The SMRT Analysis software upgrade is available to scientists through a

free download from PacBio’s DevNet portal. The analysis tool works on

any data generated by the PacBio RS with its latest C2 chemistry,

enabling researchers to re-analyze existing data to detect methylation

and other base modifications.

More than 20 biologically important DNA base modifications are known,

and new types continue to be discovered. The initial software release

simplifies the process of detecting these modification events in native

genomic DNA through a user-friendly analysis and visualization

interface. Guidelines on studying the methylomes of bacteria, including

N6-methyladenine and N4-methylcytosine, are also available on the

company’s website at www.pacb.com/basemod.

“Modifications such as methylation have been shown to be critical in

influencing disease onset and severity, the pathogenicity of bacteria,

and gene regulation,” said Eric Schadt, Ph.D., Director of the Institute

for Genomics and Multiscale Biology at Mt. Sinai Hospital and Chief

Science Officer at Pacific Biosciences. “The work we have done using

SMRT sequencing to resolve the German E. coli outbreak strain,

for example, points to a crucial role for base modification in the

regulation of a gene associated with the strain’s severity. If we aren’t

looking at base modifications, we aren’t seeing the whole picture in the

biology of pathogens.”

Dr. Schadt is speaking today about his work using the SMRT technology

during the President’s Forum at the annual American Society for

Microbiology’s 112^th General Meeting in San Francisco. The

talk is entitled, “Whole-genome Characterization of Methyladenine

Residues in Highly Pathogenic Strains of E. coli and V.

cholerae and Their Impact on Function.”

About Pacific Biosciences

Pacific Biosciences of California, Inc. (NASDAQ: PACB) offers the PacBio^®

RS, a high resolution genetic analyzer, to help scientists solve

genetically complex problems. Based on its novel single molecule,

real-time (SMRT^®) technology, the company’s products enable:

targeted sequencing to more comprehensively characterize genetic

variations; de novo genome assembly to more fully identify,

annotate and decipher genomic structures; and DNA base modification

identification to help characterize epigenetic regulation and DNA

damage. By providing access to genetic information that was previously

inaccessible, Pacific Biosciences enables scientists to increase their

understanding of biological systems.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking

statements may contain words such as “believe,” “may,” “estimate,”

“anticipate,” “continue,” “intend,” “expect,” “plan,” the negative of

these terms, or other similar expressions, and include the assumptions

that underlie such statements. Such statements include, but are not

limited to, statements regarding the Company’s SMRT technology. These

statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that

could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or

implied by such statements, including but not limited to risks discussed

from time to time in documents Pacific Biosciences of California, Inc.

has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the

risks identified under the section captioned “Risk Factors” in its

recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. All forward-looking

statements are based on estimates, projections and assumptions as of the

date hereof. Pacific Biosciences undertakes no obligation to update any

forward-looking statements.

Media:
For Pacific BiosciencesNicole

Litchfield, 415-793-6468
nicole@bioscribe.com
or
Investors:
Pacific

BiosciencesTrevin Rard, 650-521-8450
ir@pacificbiosciences.com

Source: Pacific Biosciences of California, Inc.

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