News Release

23andMe demonstrates comprehensive research capabilities at annual meeting for ASHG

Leading personal genetics company calls for academic collaborators to help develop new research portal

Business Announcement

23andMe, Inc.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA -- (November 5, 2012) -- 23andMe, the leading personal genetics company, is participating in five panels and presentations, as well as hosting 17 poster presentations at this year's annual meeting of the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) held in San Francisco, November 6 – 10, 2012.

"The breadth and depth of research we are presenting at ASHG is a testament to the power of our web-based research model," 23andMe co-founder and CEO Anne Wojcicki said. "From analyzing exome data to detecting a somatic mutation associated with Myeloproliferative Neoplasms, our unique research model is delivering genetic discoveries that expand our understanding of human biology."

Panels and Presentations

  • 23andMe Senior Director of Research Joanna Mountain, PhD. will participate in a panel discussion on the role of direct-to-consumer genetics in research on Wednesday, November 7th.
  • 23andMe Senior Science Content Manager Shirley Wu, PhD. will participate in a panel discussion about how social media can be used to benefit research, also on Wednesday, November 7th.
  • 23andMe Principal Scientist of Statistical Genetics Nicholas Eriksson PhD. will give a platform presentation on more than 250 novel associations with human morphological traits on Thursday, November 8th.
  • 23andMe Computational Biologist Eric Durand, PhD. will give a platform presentation on fine scale population genetic structure of African Americans, also on Thursday, November 8th.

The full schedule of the company's presentations and posters is available online at www.23andMe.com/ashg2012.

Senior Medical Director for 23andMe, Dr. Uta Francke, will also be receiving the William Allan Award, which recognizes a scientist for substantial and far-reaching scientific contributions to human genetics.

"It is an honor to work with someone as pioneering as Dr. Francke," Wojcicki added. "We are thrilled to see the American Society of Human Genetics recognize the significant contributions Dr. Francke has made to the field."

Call for Academic Collaborators

23andMe is calling for academic collaborators to participate in the development of a new Research Portal that will, for the first time, allow researchers from outside of 23andMe to access de-identified, aggregated genotype and phenotype data from the 23andMe database.

The company believes the contributions of its customers can go further towards accelerating the discovery process if it provides qualified researchers with self-service access to 23andMe's expanding dataset within a framework that also protects the privacy of participants. Resulting discoveries can benefit not just the 23andMe community, but also expand the understanding of human genetics more broadly. Institutions interested in participating can review criteria and apply at www.23andMe.com/researchportal.

The company will also have a presence in the conference exhibit hall at booth #826. Conference attendees can stop by to talk with 23andMe scientists and enter daily drawings for free Personal Genome Services® – a $299 value. 23andMe helps individuals explore their own DNA and provides more than 200 health and trait reports as well as genetic ancestry information through its Personal Genome Service.

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About 23andMe

23andMe, Inc. is the leading personal genetics company dedicated to helping individuals understand their own genetic information through DNA analysis technologies and web-based interactive tools. The company's Personal Genome Service® enables individuals to gain deeper insights into their ancestry and inherited traits. The vision for 23andMe is to personalize healthcare by making and supporting meaningful discoveries through genetic research. 23andMe, Inc., was founded in 2006, and the company is advised by a group of renowned experts in the fields of human genetics, bioinformatics and computer science. More information is available at www.23andme.com.

Media Contacts

Rubenstein Communications
1345 Ave of the Americas
New York, NY 10105
Jane Rubinstein, 212-843-8287, jrubinstein@rubenstein.com
Alison Hendrie, 212-843-8029, ahendrie@rubenstein.com


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