CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., April 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- DNA, that was bisulfite converted using the EZ DNA Methylation-Lightning™ Kit manufactured by Zymo Research Corporation, will be sent to the International Space Station (ISS), as part of the inaugural "Genes in Space" challenge. The contest invites young scientists to design a DNA experiment that uses PCR to test their scientific hypothesis. The winning experiment will be conducted in the unique environmental conditions aboard the ISS. The winner will present the results at the ISS R&D (International Space Station Research & Development) Conference to be held July 12-14, 2016 in San Diego, CA. The Genes in Space challenge is organized by Boeing, Math for America, miniPCR, CASIS, and New England BioLabs.

The SpaceX Falcon 9 carrying a Dragon Capsule containing the bisulfite converted DNA from the EZ DNA Methylation Lightning(TM) Kit from Zymo Research Corporation. Photo courtesy of NASA.

"As the leading epigenetics research company, we are always excited to contribute to any advancement in our field," said Dr. Larry Jia, CEO and Founder of Zymo Research Corporation. "That excitement is doubled when we can help a young scientist achieve something truly amazing."

Genes in Space winner, Anna-Sophia Boguraev, 17, chose to investigate how epigenetics plays a role in the significantly weakened immune systems of astronauts returning from outer space. She and her mentors from MIT and Harvard selected the Zymo Research kit for its quality and speed. The EZ DNA Methylation-Lightning™ Kit is the most cited kit in scientific research for being the fastest and most reliable method for complete bisulfite conversion of DNA for methylation analysis. "Every moment I'm spending in the world of science research is only making me more excited for my future," said Boguraev, in an article she wrote for the January 2016 issue of World Student. "I'm so glad and honored to have an opportunity like this."

About Zymo Research Corporation

Zymo Research Corporation is a privately held company based in Irvine, California, USA. Since its inception in 1994 it has been serving the academic and biopharmaceutical scientific communities by providing DNA and RNA purification products. In addition to the nucleic acid purification products, Zymo Research also offers genetic, epigenetic and transcriptome analysis services. Zymo Research provides high quality products that are simple to use yet robust in their performance.

For more information, please visit: www.zymoresearch.com. Or follow the company on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160408/353362

SOURCE Zymo Research Corp.

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