Genomic medicine involves studying individuals’ genome information (gene sequence information), and diagnosing, treating, and preventing diseases based on the results. In genomic medicine, NGSs are used to read gene sequence information. Using the results for diagnosis and treatment, however, necessitates a high-resolution analysis of gene sequence information based on a high level of quality assurance. Only a limited number of locations in Japan are able to perform such testing, which is known as clinical sequence testing. 

  RIKEN GENESIS has established RIGC at the Life Innovation Center, in the Kawasaki INnovation Gateway at SKYFRONT (Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture), which employs state-of-the-art gene analyzers, centered on NGSs.
  Having the first CLIA Lab³ registered in Japan, RIGC RIKEN GENESIS will provide highly reliable gene analysis service based on international quality standards.

  In addition to clinical sequence testing, RIGC plans from May to begin offering its existing gene-related analysis service, the Plasma-Safe-SeqS (PSS)⁴ liquid biopsy technology developed by Sysmex, as well as lab-assay services related to Flow FISH testing.⁵

  Sysmex and RIKEN GENESIS will contribute to advances in genomic medicine through their gene analysis service at RIGC.

Overview of the Center    Name: RIKEN GENESIS Innovation Genome Center   Location: In the Kawasaki INnovation Gateway at SKYFRONT Life Innovation Center (3-25-22 Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture)   Floor space: 1,352 m2   Start of operation: May 2017    Terminology
	1	Kawasaki INnovation Gateway at SKYFRONT: An open innovation hub located within the Life Innovation in Keihin Coastal Areas International Strategy Comprehensive Special Zone, where companies involved in the life sciences gather. Based on a national government growth strategy, the hub is eligible for support, including the easing of regulations, with a view to establishing innovative business models. Situated along the Tamagawa River opposite Haneda Airport, the hub is 10 minutes away from the airport by car.
	2	Next-generation sequencer (NGS): An analyzer for reading the huge volumes of genetic information contained in DNA bases and sequences.
	3	CLIA Lab: A laboratory certified according to the U.S. Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA). Such labs are required to undergo periodic inspections to ensure quality maintenance, and this certification guarantees that testing is subject to quality control.
	4	Plasma-Safe-SeqS (PSS) technology: By tagging each molecule of a gene to be analyzed, this technology allows differentiation between original genetic mutations and errors (errors generated in the process of preparing and reading NGS samples). Because there is a certain number of such errors in NGS, it can be difficult to distinguish an original gene mutation from the errors when a mutation is detected. This technology addresses the problem, and is expected to find use as a pretreatment technology for resolving such problems.
	5	Flow FISH testing: FISH testing uses fluorescent material binding only specific genes to detect target genes within a chromosome. Typical FISH testing requires evaluation of slides under a microscope. However, Flow FISH testing uses an imaging flow cytometer to capture images, enabling automated analysis.