Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) today announced the creation of a new center for neurometabolomics research and training in the city of Daegu. The center will serve as the base for the company's collaboration with the department of brain science at the Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST) and the city. This is Agilent's first collaboration in Asia for metabolomics research in brain science. Metabolomics is the study of the small molecules produced during metabolism - chemical processes in a cell or organism that are necessary for life. Through metabolomics, scientists and researchers are able to discover biomarkers for neurological diseases. "The department of brain science at DGIST aims to facilitate neuroscience discovery and education, and apply our knowledge to improve brain health," said professor Gabriele Ronnett, head of the neuroscience department at DGIST. "This is in line with our institute's goal of developing world-leading technology for 21st century." "The goal of this center is not only to lead global collaborations in neurometabolomics but to foster and train researchers who will work in this area," said professor Eun-Kyoung Kim of the department of brain science at DGIST, soon to be appointed head of the Neurometabolomics Research and Training Center. Under a memorandum of understanding, Agilent will provide DGIST with early access to novel technology and software development. The center will also be a reference site for Agilent customers in Asia who are interested in metabolomics and brain science. "Metabolomics is a powerful, emerging discipline with a broad range of applications, and for many years Agilent has been collaborating with leading universities on clinical research, drug development, environmental toxicology, crop optimization and food science," said Rod Minett, general manager of Agilent's life sciences business in South Korea and the South Asia Pacific region. "Today, we have the chance to be involved in metabolomics research for neuroscience as our instruments can help scientists obtain and analyze data quickly and reliably. Importantly, we work with them to investigate questions they couldn't answer before." Agilent is the leader in providing measurement solutions for metabolomics with the comprehensive product portfolio that spans the metabolomics workflow. Metabolomics is one of the fastest growing areas of life sciences research. Other areas of Agilent's life sciences business include genomics, proteomics, bioinformatics and pharmaceutical analysis.

About DGIST

Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology is the first government-funded institute established in the Daegu and Gyeongbuk areas that has a global infrastructure in industrial harmony with Daegu Technopolis. With world-class faculty and facilities, the DGIST offers a variety of innovative degree programs to cultivate highly qualified people who will play important roles in high technology research, educational organizations and commercial ventures. Also, this institute is dedicated to achieving the convergence of medical fields, including brain-related industries and medical and robotics industries, in cooperation with Daegu High-Tech Medical Complex. DGIST aims to be the world-class research-oriented university.