Multiomic sequencing assays advance methylation studies

EpiCypher, a leader in epigenomic technologies, has introduced two innovative DNA methylation sequencing assays - CUTANA® meCUT&RUN and Multiomic CUT&RUN - that offer scalable, high-resolution insights into gene regulation to accelerate drug discovery.

Building on their established CUT&RUN platform, which enables precise chromatin profiling from minimal input and reduces sequencing expenses, these new assays extend its capabilities to DNA methylation analysis. DNA methylation is a key epigenetic modification that controls gene expression and cellular identity, but traditional bisulphite sequencing methods often suffer from DNA damage, high costs, and large sample requirements, limiting their broader use.

The CUTANA® meCUT&RUN assay uses a novel methyl-DNA binding fusion protein to specifically enrich 5-methylcytosine (5mC) with base-pair precision. This method detects over 80% of methylated CpGs compared to whole-genome techniques while requiring more than 20 times less sequencing, offering a highly sensitive and affordable alternative for methylation mapping.

Expanding on this, the Multiomic CUT&RUN assay enables simultaneous profiling of DNA methylation alongside chromatin features such as histone modifications or DNA-binding proteins in a single experiment. This dual profiling reveals complex epigenetic interactions, providing valuable data for basic research and translational drug development.

Both assays are compatible with low cell inputs, including cell lines, primary cells, and patient-derived samples, and offer streamlined workflows suited for diverse research and drug discovery applications.

More information online