Press Release

May 5, 2011

Natural Selection, Inc. Partners with UC San Diego on Stem Cell Award

The Independent Citizens' Oversight Committee (ICOC) of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine recently announced the funding of 27 Basic Biology III awards for stem cell research. According to CIRM, "Studies supported by these awards will form the foundation for future translational and clinical advances, enabling the realization of the full potential of human stem cells and reprogrammed cells for therapies and as tools for biomedical innovation."

One of the 27 grants was awarded to Charles C. King, Ph.D., an associate research scientist in the Department of Pediatrics, at UC San Diego to better understand, describe and ultimately optimize human embryonic cells (hESCs) for use in the treatment of type 1 diabetes. Of the several genetic factors that contribute to stem cell differentiation, miRs (microRNAs) are emerging as important determinants. King's team is working to identify and validate temporal expression of miRs at discrete, functionally defined and genetically marked stages of hESC differentiation to insulin-producing cells.

As part of this effort, Natural Selection, Inc. will assist Dr. King with computational / systems biology approaches to help elucidate miR expression patterns. The results of this research will help create a population of cells of significant therapeutic impact.

"We are extremely pleased to be working with Dr. King on this project towards the better understanding of microRNAs and their importance in cellular differentiation," said Dr. Gary Fogel, who will lead Natural Selection, Inc.'s effort on the award.

Natural Selection, Inc. was founded in 1993 to address complex problems in industry, medicine, and defense. The company possesses unique expertise in computational intelligence techniques, including evolutionary computation, neural networks, and fuzzy logic. The corporation's research efforts support the discovery of new pharmaceuticals, the automated detection and discovery of important patterns and processes in bioinformatics and medical informatics, computer-assisted diagnosis, and a variety of military and industrial projects.

For more information, please contact:

Dr. Gary B. Fogel
Chief Executive Officer
Natural Selection, Inc.
9330 Scranton Road
Suite 150
San Diego, CA, 92121
tel: (858) 455-6449
fax: (858) 455-1560
gfogel [at] natural-selection.com

and please visit our website at http://www.natural-selection.com.