The core competence of BMGen is in the rapidly developing post-genomic era scientific discipline called functional genomics. Functional genomics explores changes and functions of genes in scope of large or even genome-wide gene-sets. These new research approaches, which became possible only after sequencing of the human genome was completed in 2003, have opened completely new avenues for academic research and offer new promising solutions for biotech and pharmaceutical companies. Biochips are typically used to measure DNA copy number variation, mRNA or microRNA expression alterations or DNA-protein binding interactions in a genome-wide scale. Recombinant lentiviruses are used as carriers of a DNA piece, which expresses a desired gene in the cells or alternatively, produces a shRNA that switches off the expression of desired genes. This approach can directly identify relationships between gene function and a biological process or disease.

Cellectis SA is a world leader in genome engineering. The company specializes in the development and production of meganucleases (DNA scissors) for in vivo genome surgery. Cellectis products are programmed to induce unique, site-directed, double-strand DNA breaks in a living cell and can be used for a wide range of therapeutic and biotechnological applications.