BOSTON, Mass. – November 26, 2008 – Plectix BioSystems, Inc. today released more details about the launch of the public beta version of Cellucidate, a collaborative, web-based workspace for cell biology. Currently in private beta, this technologically novel platform is designed to enable researchers in both academia and industry to better understand cell signaling networks. The platform is based on a precise yet intuitive language for representing facts or hypotheses about protein interactions and simulating their joint dynamic behavior.

In addition to a powerful suite of computational tools for creating, modifying, analyzing and exploring the dynamics of cell signaling systems, Cellucidate also includes an initial collection of models and libraries of rules representing molecular interactions that define several important systems. Researchers with an interest in one of these areas are able to quickly adapt an existing piece of work to reflect their own perspective and to explore the consequences of new rules or hypotheses without having to start from scratch. The sample systems that will be available at public beta launch include:

EGFR
mTOR
Met
Intrinsic and Extrinsic Apoptosis
DNA Damage
Yeast Pheromone Response

Users of Cellucidate will also be able to share their own contributions with other researchers.

Walter Fontana, a professor of Systems Biology at Harvard Medical School and a founder of the company, remarked: “Cellucidate brings a new practice of modeling to systems biology in which a pool of assertions about molecular interactions are made to interact directly with one another. This constitutes an important step towards a concept of "active data". Cellucidate’s technology is scalable and makes the construction of large models cumulative, upgradeable and transparent, which enables collaborations across labs and institutions that quickly transcend the efforts of any individual researcher. Cellucidate will network facts, models, and researchers, all in one platform.”

During private beta, an invited group of researchers have been using and providing feedback on Cellucidate’s services and content, based on sample publications such as “The Sequential Activation of the Raf-Mek-Erk Cascade” and “Oncogenic Activation of the ErbB Signaling Network by HER2”.

A rolling release of the public beta version of Cellucidate will begin in early December. Interested participants can pre-register at www.cellucidate.com.

About Plectix BioSystems, Inc.
Plectix brings clarity to the mysteries of cell signaling through the application of advanced computational techniques. These approaches enable biologists to develop an enhanced understanding of signaling processes and to design interventions based on molecular mechanisms. In addition to making its technology available through initiatives such as Cellucidate, Plectix conducts its own research and partners with select research institutions and leading pharmaceutical and diagnostic companies. For more information, visit www.plectix.com.

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Contact:
Traci Freed
Director of Marketing
Plectix BioSystems, Inc.
617.591.2400
traci@plectix.com