VIENNA, Sept. 25, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Today
Lexogen, the transcriptomics and next-generation sequencing
company, launched the SLAMseq product family for
high-throughput metabolic sequencing of RNA. The kits are based on
a new technology developed at the Institute of Molecular
Biotechnology (IMBA) at the Vienna BioCenter in Austria, which was published today in Nature
Methods.
Current RNA-Seq methods can measure steady-state RNA levels.
However, they cannot resolve the underlying kinetics of RNA
turnover that contribute to total RNA levels. This has been a
limitation for the application of RNA-Seq in basic research for
understanding RNA metabolic pathways and gene regulation.
Lexogen has launched a family of kits based on the new
genome-wide, non-invasive, quantitative, fast, and reliable SLAMseq
(thiol (SH)-Linked Alkylation for the Metabolic Sequencing of RNA)
method, developed by Stefan Ameres'
research group at IMBA. Compared to standard RNA-Seq the SLAMseq
protocol adds only two extra steps: labeling of the RNA by adding
one compound to the culture medium and pre-processing the total RNA
before continuing with a standard RNA-Seq protocol. SLAMseq can
differentiate between nascent RNA and existing RNA, while standard
RNA-Seq measures total steady-state RNA levels only. Hence, SLAMseq
allows for parallel quantification of total and newly synthesized
RNA levels, without the need for biochemical isolation. Sampling at
different time points reveals the complete in vivo and
transcriptome-wide kinetics of RNA synthesis and degradation.
"SLAMseq adds a new dimension to standard RNA sequencing
approaches by enabling easy access to intracellular RNA expression
dynamics. It serves as a powerful tool for the dissection of
essential biological mechanisms that control the execution of
genetic information at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional
level", says IMBA group leader Stefan
Ameres, who provided the scientific basis for this novel
technology.
Combining SLAMseq with Lexogen's QuantSeq 3' mRNA-Seq Library
Prep Kits results in cost-efficient library preparation and much
lower sequencing depth requirements than standard RNA-Seq. This
enables affordable RNA kinetics measurements at high
resolution.
While the additional effort of performing SLAMseq is minor, when
compared to standard RNA-Seq, metabolic RNA sequencing provides
accurate resolution of RNA expression dynamics, enabling novel
insights into the control and regulation of gene expression.
"Deciphering the Book of Life has become sort of easy,
understanding it is still a huge challenge. SLAMseq will help us
grasp more of what these words in the genome really mean, which is
at the very heart of our mission", says Alexander Seitz, Lexogen's founder and CEO.
Original Publication: Herzog et al, "Thiol-linked alkylation for
the metabolic sequencing of RNA", Nature Methods, DOI:
10.1038/nmeth.4435
About Lexogen
Lexogen is a transcriptomics and
next-generation sequencing company, focusing on the development of
technologies for complete transcriptome sequencing. Their portfolio
includes innovative molecular biology kits, software, and services
for RNA-Seq.
To learn more, visit www.lexogen.com and follow
@lexogen.
Contact person at Lexogen
Jekaterina Aleksejeva
Senior Marketing Manager
Lexogen GmbH
Campus Vienna Biocenter 5
1030 Vienna, AUSTRIA
Tel. +43 1 345 1212-40
E-Mail. jekaterina.aleksejeva@lexogen.com
About IMBA
IMBA - Institute of Molecular Biotechnology
is one of the leading biomedical research institutes in
Europe focusing on cutting-edge
functional genomics and stem cell technologies. IMBA is located at
the Vienna BioCenter, the vibrant cluster of universities, research
institutes and biotech companies in Austria. IMBA is a subsidiary of the Austrian
Academy of Sciences, the leading national sponsor of non-university
academic research. www.imba.oeaw.ac.at
Contact person at IMBA
Ines Méhu-Blantar
Communications & Partnerships
IMBA - Institut für Molekulare Biotechnologie GmbH
Dr. Bohr-Gasse 3
1030 Vienna, AUSTRIA
Tel. +43 1 790 44-3628
E-Mail. ines.mehu-blantar@imba.oeaw.ac.at
About the Vienna BioCenter
Vienna BioCenter (VBC) is a
leading life sciences location in Europe, offering an extraordinary combination
of research, business and education on a single campus: 1,700
employees, 1,300 students, 86 research groups and 18 biotech
companies. Scientists from 65 nations create a highly dynamic
environment of international standards. www.viennabiocenter.org
Contact person at Vienna BioCenter
Raquel Diaz Francia
VBC Brand Manager
Campus-Vienna-Biocenter 1
1030 Vienna, AUSTRIA
Tel. +43 1 79730-3609
E-Mail. raquel.diaz@vbc.ac.at
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