Whole Genome Bisulfite Sequencing

Service Description

Methylation of DNA at the fifth position in cytosine (5-mC) is a stable epigenetic modification and plays an important role in many biological processes, including gene silencing, suppression of transposable elements, genomic imprinting and X chromosome inactivation. Detection and quantification of methylation are critical to understand gene expression and other processes subjected to epigenetic regulation.

Whole genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) is used to detect methylated cytosines by treating the DNA with sodium bisulfite before sequencing. WGBS has become the gold standard for studying genome-wide methylation at single base resolution.

Whole-genome bisulfite sequencing is considered the ultimate method for methylcytosine analysis as the technique allows researchers to:

• Simultaneously observe the methylation patterns of all CpG, CHG and CHH sites present in the sample of interest
• Profile DNA methylations in the entire methylome for studies on development, cell differentiation, cell cycle, DNA repair, genomic imprinting
• Compare differentially methylated loci from different samples, for example, healthy controls versus patients with cancer
• Derive correlations between cytosine methylation and transcriptional regulation
• Investigate inherited methylations in nearly any organism

DNBseq Technology

DNBseq is an innovative high-throughput sequencing solution, developed by BGI’s Complete Genomics subsidiary in Silicon Valley. The system is powered by combinatorial Probe-Anchor Synthesis (cPAS), linear isothermal Rolling-Circle Replication and DNA Nanoballs (DNBseq™) technology, followed by high-resolution digital imaging.

The combination of linear amplification and DNBseq technology reduces the error rate while enhancing the signal. The size of the DNB is controlled in such a way that only one DNB is bound per active site on the flow cell. This densely patterned array technology provides optimal sequencing accuracy and increases flow cell utilization.