Accurate profiling of genes and their previously inaccessible transcript isoforms
Comprehensive exploration of transcript variability in complex organisms like plants, animals and humans
Establishment of a new quality standard for all isoform-related research
Constance, Germany, July 13, 2016: GATC Biotech, a world-wide leading provider of innovative sequencing and diagnostic solutions, announced today the release of a novel service for characterisation of full-length transcript isoforms. The new INVIEW TRANSCRIPTOME ISOFORM DISCOVER enables researchers to thoroughly investigate functional diversity of transcriptomes in complex organisms or diseases associated with alternative splicing like cancer. The next-generation sequencing based service effectively eliminates drawbacks associated with conventional methods for isoform analysis. This supports scientists in gaining unique access to important novel genes and isoforms that were impossible to be accurately profiled until today.
“More than 95% of human multi exon genes are alternatively spliced and resulting isoforms make up the major source of proteome diversity,” said Fabian Ripp, Scientist at GATC Biotech. “Despite their origin from the same gene, different isoforms may have significantly different biological effects. Abnormal proportions of specific isoforms or the occurrence of novel isoforms are involved in many human diseases including cancer, Alzheimer or cystic fibrosis. RNA-seq, despite being a powerful technique to study transcriptomes, cannot span full-length transcripts and the reconstruction of complete isoforms is still a challenging task. Based on PacBio’s cutting-edge SMRT®sequencing, GATC’s INVIEW TRANSCRIPTOME ISOFORM DISCOVER generates full-length cDNA sequences from the 5’ end to the poly-A tail, making error prone reconstruction algorithms obsolete.”
INVIEW TRANSCRIPTOME ISOFORM DISCOVER uniquely employs extraordinary long reads to efficiently capture entire exon-intron structures and precisely characterise splicing variants. The service can also be used to analyse features including alternative start sites and alternative polyadenylation events. The product provides phased full-length isoform reads which can be used to determine the allele a cDNA molecule originated from. INVIEW TRANSCRIPTOME ISOFORM DISCOVER can also facilitate transcriptome-wide research by providing the means to discover novel genes, improve gene annotations in reference genomes and acquire more complete gene models.
“By covering whole cDNA molecules of up to 10kb with single sequencing reads, studying isoform profiles of whole transcriptomes is lifted to a new level,” continued Ripp. “Characterising the full landscape of isoform diversity will certainly provide us new insights in understanding gene regulation during normal physiological function or when pathologies arise.”
INVIEW TRANSCRIPTOME ISOFORM DISCOVER offers sequencing of cDNA molecules up to 10 kb in length based on single molecule observation. The service applies optimised ISO SEQTM protocols that were originally established by Pacific Biosciences to accurately resolve full-length isoforms without labour-intensive re-construction of transcript contiguity.
The launched product is part of the INVIEW TRANSCRIPTOME product line, which is designed to support various types of RNA research. The sample-to-data Sequencing Solution combines expert library preparation, next-generation sequencing based on proven protocols and detailed BioIT analysis to provide researchers a quick, simple way to isoform discovery.
Legal information
PacBio, ISO-SEQ and SMRT are trademarks of Pacific Biosciences of California, Inc., Menlo Park, United States of America
About GATC Biotech
GATC Biotech, a family owned business since 1990, is Europe’s leading sequencing services provider with more than 10,000 customers from academia, healthcare and industry worldwide. The company consistently contributes to the sequencing field with innovative products, scientific expertise and rigorous quality.
Currently, the entrepreneurial energy is concentrated on a completely new approach in the area of personalised medicine. GATCLIQUID is the world’s first liquid biopsy- based service for cancer research and diagnosis.
As a renowned brand, GATC Biotech offers all leading sequencing technologies in its own laboratories in Cologne and Constance, Germany. The company’s proprietary workflows deliver ready-for-diagnostics results backed by ISO 17025 accreditation and ISO 13485 certification. From Sanger to next-generation sequencing, GATC Biotech offers unmatched flexibility to customers interested in any kind of genomics such as transcriptome, epigenome, exome or whole genome analysis.
GATC Biotech has a proven record of publicly funded projects by the EU and other national agencies. The company has formed numerous successful collaborations with world-renowned universities, academic institutions, pharmaceutical and biotechnological companies.
Please visit www.gatc-biotech.com for more information about genomic innovation – Made in Germany.
Contact GATC Biotech
Dr Helge Schnerr
GATC Biotech AG
Phone: +49 (0) 7531 81 60 4154
h.schnerr@gatc-biotech.com