Methylation Sequencing
Analyze the methylation status of your genome using methylation sequencing with Sampled. Untangle the complex epigenetics of your sample with Sampled’s team of experts supporting you at every step.
What Is Methylation Sequencing?
Methylation sequencing provides a snapshot of the methylation status of your genome. DNA can be modified by a variety of molecules, including methyl groups.
These modifications play a regulatory role in gene expression without changing the genetic code and are thus considered epigenetic forms of regulation. Epigenetics is the study of heritable traits not linked to the genetic code itself. Methylation of DNA plays an important role in development as well as in a variety of diseases such as cancer, where methylation can switch off onco-suppressor genes, facilitating cancer growth. As such, gaining insights into the methylation status of the genome is of vital importance to researchers and clinicians.
Methylation sequencing can be performed in a variety of ways depending on the specific application. Many methods involve a conversion process where the DNA is altered, allowing methylated and unmethylated regions to be determined during sequencing. Sampled’s team of expert scientists uses Illumina and PacBio technology to achieve the best results for methylation sequencing.
Why Use Sampled’s Methylation Sequencing Services?
Highly Specialized Experts
Analysis of methylation status is a highly specialized and niche technique. It is less commonly employed than other sequencing methods, such as whole-genome sequencing and RNA sequencing and therefore has a narrower pool of expertise to draw upon. At Sampled, our team consists of experts in all stages of methylation sequencing and can help you from experimental planning all the way to data analysis.
Access to the Latest Technology
Analysis of DNA methylation sequencing has gained prominence in the medical field, particularly in oncology. Recent advances in sequencing technology mean that methylation sequencing can be performed on a large scale with multiple samples, improving scalability and reproducibility. As a certified service provider, Sampled gives you access to Illumina’s NovaSeq 6000 Series platform, NovaSeq X-plus, and PacBio’s 5-base HiFi sequencing platform.
Cost Saving
The cost of reagents and equipment is a colossal barrier to entry for laboratories wanting to study DNA methylation. By trusting Sampled with your analysis, you will greatly cut down on the costs of funding a methylation sequencing lab in-house and can rest assured that the analysis is being performed on the best possible equipment by highly trained scientists.
Data Analysis Support
Sampled not only offers expert processing and illumina methylation sequencing services, but we are also ready to provide expert-level data analysis by our in-house team of bioinformaticians. Even if you want to perform your own analysis, having a second independent analysis is a great way to ensure your results are robust.
Methylation Sequencing Applications
Methylation of DNA touches a wide variety of diseases and research topics. At Sampled, we provide the ideal platform for whatever application you have in mind.
- Methylation risk scoring
- Differential methylation analysis
- Epigenome-wide association studies
- Methylation age clocks
- Methylation cytometry and immune cell deconvolution
- Epigenetic age
- Copy number variation
How Does Methylation Sequencing Work?
Sample Preparation
Here at Sampled we work with a wide variety of samples for methylation sequencing. DNA is extracted by our in-house experts or is provided directly by our clients. Either way, we perform robust quality control analysis to ensure that only high-quality DNA is used for further processing.
Library Preparation
There are different methods of library preparation depending on the platform being used, though the common steps of genome fragmentation, end repair, and covalent linking of DNA adapters are maintained. For the Illumina platform, a conversion process is performed on the DNA, which allows methylated and unmethylated regions to be determined during sequencing.
Sequencing
Converted samples are sequenced using Illumina platforms like the NovaSeq 6000 System. Alternatively, PacBio’s 5-base HiFi sequencing platform Revio allows researchers to perform whole-genome sequencing and simultaneously detect methyl-cytosines without additional treatment.
Data Analysis
After sequencing, Sampled’s team of experts performs robust quality assurance tests to ensure the data is of sufficient quality for analysis. From here the data is either sent to the client or is analyzed by Sampled’s in-house team of expert bioinformaticians. Outsourcing data analysis to Sampled is a great way to avoid user bias and ensures your analysis meets the highest global standards.
What Are the Input Requirements for Methylation Sequencing?
The team of technical experts at Sampled is able to process a wide variety of samples for methylation sequencing.
| Item | Type |
|---|---|
| Sample Types | High-quality DNA sourced from blood, serum, saliva, tissue biopsies, hair, nail, stool, urine, semen, and cell line samples/pellets We also work with pre-extracted DNA |
| Storage/Transport Conditions | Pre-extracted DNA should be transported at 4°C (or as close to the previous storage conditions as possible). For information on other tissue types, please contact a member of our team |
Your sample will be processed by technical experts who will ensure that only high-quality DNA is extracted and sent for further processing.
Find out more about our methylation sequencing services
Ready to explore the epigenome of your sample of interest but not sure where to start? Get in touch with one of our methylation sequencing experts today and receive a customized quote!
