Lexogen launches the SLAMseq product family for high-throughput metabolic sequencing of RNA, developed in collaboration with the Institute of Molecular Biotechnology in Vienna, Austria.

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. [email protected]

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. [email protected]   

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. [email protected]

SOURCE Lexogen

Related Links

http://www.lexogen.com