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AlidaBio Unveils Game-Changing EpiPlex™ Duo-Mod™ Service

AlidaBio, a pioneering company in the field of epitranscriptomics, has proudly launched its new service, the EpiPlex™ Duo-Mod™, which is set to transform how researchers analyze RNA modifications. This innovative service focuses on the simultaneous mapping and quantification of two critical RNA modifications: m6A and inosine. To make it even more valuable, it integrates RNA expression profiling into a single report, significantly simplifying the research process for scientists.

Purpose and Design

The EpiPlex Duo-Mod™ Service is specifically designed for researchers requiring sensitive detection of RNA modifications, relative quantitation, and high-quality RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data. This is particularly crucial when working with limited or precious clinical samples, such as fresh frozen tissue and formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues. Dr. Gudrun Stengel, CEO of AlidaBio, emphasizes that the primary goal of the service is to provide researchers with the clearest possible insights derived from the smallest amounts of RNA.

Comprehensive Workflow

This cutting-edge service encompasses an end-to-end workflow, including RNA extraction, library preparation, sequencing, and comprehensive data analysis. By harnessing AlidaBio's proprietary proximity barcoding and enrichment chemistry, the EpiPlex Duo-Mod™ allows researchers to gather extensive information on m6A, inosine, and gene expression from a singular RNA input. This holistic view enables the identification of genes that have correlated expression levels but varying modification statuses, which is critical for understanding the complex interplay between RNA modifications and gene expression.

Clinical Relevance of RNA Modifications

As the research community continues to uncover the significance of RNA modifications, it becomes increasingly clear that these modifications can serve as clinically relevant biomarkers. They can provide insights into various conditions, including immune dysregulation in autoimmune diseases, early signaling associated with oncogenesis, and RNA misprocessing in neurodegeneration. The EpiPlex Duo-Mod™ suggests how modifications can influence gene expression and contribute to functional outcomes, a correlation often missed when solely observing DNA, RNA expression, or protein data.

Streamlined Analysis Process

Results from the EpiPlex Duo-Mod™ Service are conveniently summarized in an EpiScout™ HTML report. This report features publication-quality figures and includes essential file formats such as FASTQ, BAM, BED, TSV, and VCF for downstream analysis. The integration of multi-mod detection alongside RNA expression results fosters a more comprehensive understanding of the epitranscriptome, which captures regulatory mechanisms like changes in stability, translation efficiency, or RNA localization—dimensions that mere expression levels cannot elucidate.

Positive User Experiences

Early access users of the EpiPlex service have reported significant advantages in their research endeavors. Dr. Akira Sassa, an associate professor at Chiba University's Graduate School of Science, highlighted how collaboration with AlidaBio's profiling service enhanced their ability to generate and visualize epitranscriptomic data effectively, contributing to their publication in Frontiers in Genetics. Similarly, Dr. Ina Anreiter from the University of Toronto noted that the service has provided invaluable support in her investigation into epitranscriptomic regulation of behaviors and stress responses.

Promising Implications for the Future

The growing emphasis on RNA modifications in large-scale studies indicates their potential as prognostic biomarkers. Notably, recent research on prostate tumors demonstrated strong correlations between m6A patterns and tumor aggressiveness, reinforcing the need for sensitive, robust assays such as AlidaBio's EpiPlex. This evolving field of research continues to open new avenues for understanding disease mechanisms and therapies.

Conclusion

Available for m6A and inosine mapping with an input requirement as low as 20 ng of mRNA or 250 ng of total RNA, the EpiPlex Duo-Mod™ Service caters to diverse sample sources, including human, mouse, and rat RNA inputs, with additional species options upon request. The standard turnaround time is between 6 to 8 weeks, with an expedited service option available in 4 weeks. As the demands of RNA modification profiling evolve, AlidaBio is committed to providing top-tier, integrated solutions to streamline research and foster scientific discovery.

For more details about AlidaBio and its innovative services, visit AlidaBio. This initiative marks a significant step forward in the exploration of RNA modifications and their implications in biological research and beyond.