SUNNYVALE, CA--(Marketwire - January 11, 2010) - Gastric cancer is the number two cancer
killer worldwide and one of the top cancer killers in the U.S., but gastric
cancer research gets the least federal funding of any type of cancer
research. According to a CBS News analysis of data released by the American
Cancer Society, for every cancer-related death in the U.S., only $1,168
federal research dollars are spent on gastric cancer, versus $18,870 for
cancer of the cervix and $14,095 for breast cancer.(1)
To address the significant need for gastric cancer research, NetApp
(
NASDAQ:
NTAP) and Stanford Genome Technology Center are building the
country's first comprehensive gastric cancer registry powered by NetApp®
storage technology. NetApp donated more than $600,000 in hardware,
software, and services to the Stanford Genome Technology Center on behalf
of the Gastric Cancer Fund, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping
people fight gastric cancer.
The Gastric Cancer Fund is working with the Stanford Comprehensive Cancer
Center and Stanford Genome Technology Center to build a comprehensive
gastric cancer registry to aggregate all pertinent clinical and genetic
data on gastric cancer patients and serve as a resource in developing
strategies for this cancer's detection, treatment, and prevention. The
registry leverages a high-performance computing system which will be
integrated into state-of-the-art genomic DNA sequencing of gastric cancer
tumors and patient DNA samples to better understand the genetic make-up of
the gastric cancer cell. Cancer genome DNA sequencing generates enormous
amounts of data and requires a high-performance and easy-to-manage data
storage system to accelerate the research process.
"NetApp technology will help us to advance research in gastric cancer by
allowing us to sequence gastric cancer genomes and manipulate the vast
amounts of DNA sequence data generated at a level unachievable just a few
years ago," said Dr. James Ford, medical oncologist and geneticist at
Stanford University Medical Center. "The dramatic improvement in
performance and management capabilities has allowed our scientists to
optimize our research processes and will accelerate our quest to improve
the detection, treatment, and prevention of gastric cancer."
NetApp donated a FAS3070 data storage system to support the Stanford Genome
Technology Center's research. The system includes the NetApp Data ONTAP®
8.0 operating system, which is one of a few select file systems that can
handle the large throughput requirements for supporting genomic sequencing.
NetApp is also providing complimentary professional services to help the
Stanford Genome Technology Center rearchitect the way it does sequencing.
The Gastric Cancer Fund was founded by J. P. Gallagher, a gastric cancer
survivor and NetApp employee, in March 2009. Realizing Stanford Genome
Technology Center's need for more efficient storage to help solve
complicated scientific problems more quickly, Gallagher and NetApp sprang
into action.
"We are pleased to support the Stanford Genome Technology Center and the
Gastric Cancer Fund in this critical endeavor," said Rob Salmon, executive
vice president, Field Operations, NetApp. "At NetApp we are passionate
about being a great place to work, and strive to make a positive impact on
our communities and support causes that are important to our employees."
About The Gastric Cancer Fund
The Gastric Cancer Fund is dedicated to helping people fight gastric
cancer. Through education, research, support, and advocacy, the
organization is dedicated to improving the lives of those affected by
gastric cancer and working with leading researchers to find a cure to this
disease. For more information on The Gastric Cancer Fund or to make a
donation, please visit
www.gastriccancer.org.
About Stanford Genome Technology Center
The Stanford Genome Technology Center is a federally funded,
multidisciplinary effort that uses genomic-based approaches to attack
fundamental problems in biology and medicine. For more information, see
http://med.stanford.edu/sgtc/.
About NetApp
NetApp creates innovative storage and data management solutions that
accelerate business breakthroughs and deliver outstanding cost efficiency.
Discover our passion for helping organizations around the world go further,
faster at
www.netapp.com.
(1) CBS Evening News, "
The Disparity in Cancer Research Funding Cancer Is Down Overall, But
Some of the Fastest-Growing Types Are Getting the Least Attention,"
Jonathan LaPook, May 27, 2009.
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countries. All other brands or products are trademarks or registered
trademarks of their respective holders and should be treated as such.
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