Sigma-Aldrich® (Nasdaq: SIAL) today announced the launch of a unique life science-focused application for the social media site, Facebook. Developed and marketed by Sigma® Life Science, the 'What's Your Favorite Gene?' application is the first and currently only application of its kind available on Facebook, and provides a platform that can enable scientists and researchers to network with each other and facilitate discussion based on their favorite genes, identifiable via gene functionality and biological pathways. The application also allows researchers to post and share gene information using gene details and associated pathways and interactors from Sigma-Aldrich's award-winning online search platform, 'Your Favorite Gene powered by Ingenuity' (http://www.sigma.com/yfg).
Designed to encourage a culture of scientific collaboration, information sharing, cooperation and networking, the 'What's Your Favorite Gene?' application encourages scientists to become 'fans' of their favorite genes and then connect with colleagues to share their own experiences with the genes that drive their research. In addition, those using the application can build their own scientific profile and pull any online publications into this
profile or pull citations directly from PubMed® to create a page that highlights their research accomplishments and provides their skill set and experience. An element of the application is the 'What Gene Are You?' quiz that allows users to determine what gene most accurately portrays their personality.
"With over half a million users worldwide interested in science, including around 200,000 that are researchers or that are interested in Biology, Facebook provides an outstanding platform to connect scientists and a significant audience for Sigma-Aldrich to interact," said Dr. David Smoller, President of Sigma-Aldrich's Research Biotech business unit. "The 'Your Favorite Gene' portal provides the scientific basis for that connection and we hope 'What's Your Favorite Gene?' fosters a culture of information exchange and collaboration within the life science community. We plan to continue expanding the online dialogue of researchers and will be developing additional ways to connect scientists in the coming months."
The biological information that supports the 'What's Your Favorite Gene?' Facebook application is provided by Sigma-Aldrich's 'Your Favorite Gene powered by Ingenuity.' Launched in January 2009, 'Your Favorite Gene powered by Ingenuity' has won awards for its interactive nature, setting it apart from static biological search options available in the life science market. 'Your Favorite Gene powered by Ingenuity' contains interactive pathways and gene interaction maps for over 90,000 genes mapped to relevant products such as antibodies, RNA interference (shRNA and siRNA), small molecules, proteins, and peptides. The portal enables researchers to model experiments and to search by gene, protein, function, disease, species, tissue or pathway by providing access to a curated database of biological information.
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