Seattle - December 13, 2004 - VizX Labs announced the inauguration of the GeneSifter Data Center, an online library of microarray data available through the web-based GeneSifter microarray data analysis system (http://www.genesifter.net/dc). The Data Center provides scientists an opportunity to analyze select microarray data, using GeneSifter's powerful analysis tools and step-by-step tutorials for researchers new to microarrays.

The Data Center is continually adding new high-quality datasets from well-designed microarray studies in vascular biology, neurology, cancer biology and immunology, from research performed at institutions such as Harvard, France's National Scientific Research Center and other prestigious institutions in the U.S. and abroad.

"The Data Center is a novel resource for researchers at all levels of microarray use," said Dr. Eric Olson, VizX Labs' Science Director. "Those just beginning to use microarrays have an opportunity to analyze high quality data in a guided environment, while more experienced microarray users can analyze that data in new ways, or compare it to their own data, using GeneSifter's powerful analytic tools."

Through a public version of GeneSifter, researchers have access to the software's powerful collection of statistical and biological analysis tools to explore the datasets, potentially discovering interesting results that were not reported when the data was originally released. Each data set is accompanied by short papers that highlight how significant results were obtained from the data.

In addition, detailed tutorials are also provided for some datasets, demonstrating in step-by-step fashion how such results can be obtained using GeneSifter.

"We're pleased to provide this service to the scientific community," said J. Thomas Ranken, CEO of VizX, "We believe the Data Center has great potential, and look forward to seeing valuable results, from simple education to entirely new discoveries."

About GeneSifter
GeneSifter is the accessible, Web-based microarray data analysis system for research scientists, which is now available from VWR International. GeneSifter helps researchers understand the biology™ underlying gene expression patterns as it helps them determine the statistical and biological significance of their data. Customer comments are available online at http://www.genesifter.net/test/lab_testimonials.html. Downloadable graphics, including screenshots of the GeneSifter Lab Edition, Core Edition, the new GeneSifter Jumpstart and the GeneSifter Data Center, may be viewed online at www.vizxlabs.com/downloadable_images.html.

About VizX Labs
VizX Labs' GeneSifter® software helps life scientists understand data from microarray experiments. Recently featured in Wired News and Nature Methods, GeneSifter is now bundled with all IBM computers sold by VWR International, the leading laboratory materials distributor. Selected as a Northwest Venture All-Star company and named by Bio-IT World as one of six "bioinformatics youngbloods" remaking that field, VizX was listed by Washington CEO as one of the state's top 25 biotechnology and biomedical companies. To view the VizX Labs newsroom, please visit www.vizxlabs.com/newsroom.html.

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