LC Sciences Pairs Deep Sequencing with Customized Microarrays to Offer New Seq-Array Service for Discovery & Profiling Applications

LC Sciences today announced the launch of its new Seq-Array(SM) services designed to take full advantage of both the latest deep sequencing capabilities and the proven genomics tool – microarray. This combination of technologies advances microRNA research to the next level of depth and understanding that was not possible before with either of the technologies alone. LC Sciences has been a leading provider of microRNA discovery and profiling services since 2005.

LC Sciences Pairs Deep Sequencing with Customized Microarrays to Offer New Seq-Array Service for Discovery & Profiling Applications

microRNA is a young, dynamic field of study and though significant discoveries are being made every day, the very complex regulatory mechanisms of these small RNAs are still not fully understood. Continued advancement requires adaptable, even customizable research tools that can keep pace with the rapidly advancing research in this field. While deep sequencing yields results that broadly cover genome-wide miRNAs from samples of various origins, the relatively high cost and low throughput nature of sample handling, makes the systematic follow through of the sequencing discoveries for validation and/or profiling in a reproducible manner time consuming and expensive. Microarrays have achieved wide acceptance as the preferred tool to systematically profile and compare the gene expression of large numbers of samples rapidly, reproducibly, and cost effectively; however they are dependent on previously known sequence information. Seq-ArraySM is a combination of these technologies that maximizes the effectiveness of each method while overcoming the limitations of the other.

Seq-ArraySM for microRNA starts with exploratory small RNA deep sequencing of a single or mix of RNA samples to perform a broad search and generate a comprehensive atlas of all microRNAs within a given research study. Next, bioinformatics are employed to map the raw sequencing reads to a custom generated sequence database, classify and align all sequences and sequence variants, as well as to predict novel microRNAs. A custom SeqArray™ microarray is designed based on the mapped novel microRNAs, the predicted novel microRNAs, and any previously described publicly available microRNA sequences. Finally, expression profiling of large numbers of samples on the custom array design together with additional bioinformatics work completes an efficient pathway to focused biological insights including: revealing regulatory target genes, defining gene expression pathways, and discovering biomarkers.

“We feel like this is a productive match of the two technologies,” says Dr. Christoph Eicken, Head of Technical Services at LC Sciences. “It’s something we have really already been doing for a while and thought it made sense to package together as a single service. Often times researchers come to us who are studying a non-typical species with very limited or no prior knowledge of microRNA sequences or function in their model system. By the end of the complete Seq-ArraySM project they have become the world authority on microRNA in their area of research. It’s been very exciting to be part of this.”

About microRNA – microRNAs are small non-protein-coding RNA molecules that function as negative regulators of gene expression by targeting specific mRNAs. This either inhibits translation or promotes mRNA degradation.

Via EPR Network
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Catalent to Present Webinar on Regulatory Documents Surrounding Extractables and Leachables Testing Requirements

Catalent Pharma Solutions will host a free webinar featuring Principal Scientist, Alan D. Hendricker, Ph.D. The one-hour webinar provides an introduction to the regulatory documents surrounding leachables and extractables testing requirements for pharmaceutical products intended for US submission. The presentation, titled “Leachables and Extractables: Regulatory Context,” will be held on Thursday, March 18th from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. EDT. To register for the webinar, please visit: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/290022131.

Catalent to Present Webinar on Regulatory Documents Surrounding Extractables and Leachables Testing Requirements

The presentation will be beneficial to all managers, directors, and vice presidents of small and large pharmaceutical companies that are working in product development of all dosage forms. The regulatory documents covered will include those for MDI, DPI, nasal spray, topical, oral and parenteral drug products. Additionally, the webinar will explore other applicable guidance and recommendation documents including: ICH guidance, Product Quality Research Institute (PQRI) recommendations, and EMEA and FDA guidance on genotoxic and carcinogenic impurities. The webinar will conclude with direction on modern approaches to applying this information in an analytical laboratory.

Catalent Pharma Solutions provides expert extractables and leachables services to the pharmaceutical industry with a focus on applying their industry leading scientific, regulatory and compliance expertise to all dosage forms and drug delivery platforms. Participants can expect to learn from Catalent’s expertise in these areas and take away an understanding of regulatory documents surrounding extractables and leachables testings, modern approaches and strategies to these testings, and guidance in analytical laboratory actions.

For more information on Catalent’s broad range of drug and biologic development services, go to www.catalent.com/development.

Via EPR Network
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