Epigentek has developed a next-generation technology said to significantly improve DNA bisulfite conversion speed and efficiency to assist in DNA methylation studies.
This technology is incorporated into its new product, the Bisulflash DNA Modification Kit, which completely converts unmethylated cytosine into uracil in 30min.
Aberrant DNA methylation is likely to be caused by a variety of environmental influences and is a molecular marker in multiple pathological processes, such as cancer.
Bisulfite modification of genomic DNA, followed by PCR amplification, cloning and sequencing of individual PCR amplimers yields vital information on the methylation states of individual cytosines on individual DNA molecules.
With the bisulflash technology, Epigentek claims to have made an improvement over currently used DNA sodium bisulfite tools.
Epigentek scientists have developed a proprietary means to effectively and simultaneously perform DNA denaturation and bisulfite conversion, contrary to traditional methods in which the two processes were performed separately.
This approach speeds up the DNA conversion process and enables it to achieve higher conversion efficiency and accuracy.
Additionally, a protection reagent prevents over 90 per cent of DNA loss, preserving important DNA recovery.
In 30min, converted DNA eluate can be obtained for use in MS-PCR, real-time MS-PCR, methylation microarray, and next-generation methylation sequencing and pyrosequencing.
