DNA methylation analysis

Genefficiency DNA Methylation Services deliver flexible and cost-effective analysis of DNA methylation patterns. Choose from pre-designed or custom designed arrays plus benefit from our bespoke data analysis services.

Genefficiency DNA Methylation Services deliver:

• Accurate profiling of methylation patterns
• Cost-effective analysis using catalogue or custom arrays
• Rapid delivery of high-quality results using automated sample processing
• Exceptional study design, data analysis options and support
• Peace of mind with complete sample tracking and quality assurance

Accurate profiling of methylation patterns

DNA methylation is a major epigenetic modification and is associated with many biological processes, including disease pathology and progression (e.g. cancer), development, imprinting, gene-silencing and chromatin stability.

In addition to elucidating key epigenetic regulatory mechanisms underlying many diseases, microarray-based DNA methylation studies can allow changes in methylation to be tracked over time, between samples, or as a result of drug action. Genefficiency Genomic Services also allow methylation status to be correlated with gene expression and miRNA changes.

Superior performance in methylation studies

Genefficiency Genomic Services utilise Agilent microarrays due to their optimal sensitivity and specificity which ensures superior detection of methylation. The 60mer probe design and two-colour labelling system delivers higher sensitivity, accuracy and greater reproducibility than other platforms, also permitting flexible and cost-effective custom designs.

Cost-effective analysis using catalogue or custom arrays

Microarrays enable high-resolution methylation analysis and, as such, are now the tool of choice for both large- and small-scale methylation studies.

Focus on CpG islands or promoter regions using pre-designed Agilent human and mouse arrays (Table 1) or, alternatively, utilise our custom array design expertise to allow in-depth analysis of specific regions of interest — from any eukaryotic organism at your chosen resolution.

Table 1: Pre-designed OGT and Agilent methylation arrays

* The method of methylated DNA preparation may limit the choice of arrays available. For more detailed information about these arrays and DNA preparation methods, please contact us.

Custom arrays are designed by our expert team, based on your input, in any format required. Array content is selected using OGT’s proprietary Oligome™ probe database. All probes are in-silico optimised and we also offer empirical validation of the entire array content to ensure optimal performance. We can optimise custom arrays for any methylated DNA preparation technique including DMH, methylated DNA immunoprecipitation (meDIP) and the methylated CpG island recovery assay (MIRA).Our team will guide you in all aspects of experimental design including the array format to choose — multiple arrays on a single slide can reduce costs and improve consistency. Depending on your desired level of focus you can design 1, 2, 4, or 8 arrays per slide for maximum flexibility (Figure 1).

Figure 1: Flexible custom array formats to suit all requirements.

Exceptional study design and support with our experienced team

Our experienced multi-disciplinary team provide a full range of expert consultation and support services to ensure you receive the highest quality data. We can advise you on all aspects of your experimental design, including sample preparation (e.g. optimal nucleic acid extraction, methylated DNA enrichment) and custom array design, if required. In addition, through our dedicated bioinformatics team, we offer bespoke data analysis options from simple data transfer to more demanding pathway analysis and statistics.

Figure 2: Bespoke experimental design and reporting. Genefficiency provides a tailor-made service ensuring maximal data quality from your samples.

Personalised data analysis

Data analysis can be specifically tailored to your needs. We offer a range of options including QC and normalisation, cluster analysis, statistical analysis and pathway annotation. For best results, we encourage you to discuss your data analysis requirements with us as part of the study design. This approach ensures that the experimental design and, in particular, the sample numbers and the sample pairing fully support the desired analysis.   

Rapid delivery of high-quality results using automated, sample processing

We have a proven track record in microarray technology and services. As the world’s first Agilent High-Throughput Certified Service Provider, we combine our expertise in microarrays with Agilent’s microarray platform.

We offer a comprehensive, flexible, high-throughput microarray service for projects ranging from 1 to 1,000s of samples. State-of-the-art robotics, Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) and integrated quality controls — including full ozone monitoring and control — are combined with industry-leading microarray platforms, to ensure your project is delivered on time, within budget and to the highest standards.

Our purpose-built, state of the art laboratories are based in Oxford, UK. We work under an ISO9001:2008 and ISO27001:2005 certified management system.

Peace of mind with complete sample tracking and quality assurance

Your samples are valuable; therefore we perform rigorous quality control (QC) and reporting strategies — from sample right through to result.

Our industry-leading Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) records each of the QC checks undertaken on each sample and allows reporting of this information in a format that suits your needs. In addition, it records full details of all reagents, consumables and equipment used allowing a 360° audit trail.

Links

• Contact us to discuss your project requirements
• Microarray training courses available — contact us for more information