Why should you care about epigenetics? What’s the easiest way to

Why should you care about epigenetics?
Why do some foods cause health problems and others make us healthy? How does stress impact
our long-term well-being? Why is it that the older we get, the more likely it is that age-related
illness will strike us? Unlocking the secrets behind these and other questions has the potential to
revolutionize life as we know it. The emerging field of epigenetics is aiming to do just that.
The importance of nature versus nurture has long been disputed. It cannot be denied that
environment greatly influences how a child grows and develops, nor can it be denied that our DNA
is the blueprint that makes us who we are. Epigenetics merges these two seemingly contradictory
lines of thought to explain how environmental factors cause physical modifications to DNA and its
associated structures, which result in altered functions.
The most commonly known epigenetic modification is DNA methylation. Although many technologies
have been developed in the past to characterize genomic DNA methylation, none of them has been
able to efficiently determine DNA methylation patterns on a genomic scale. Until now.
What’s the easiest way to
discover your next biomarker?
Rapid advances in bisulfite chemistries, library methods, and sequencing platforms have
revolutionized the field of biomarker discovery and analysis. Zymo Research is proud to offer
the first consolidated service for tackling the exciting challenge of epigenetic biomarker discovery.
EpiQuest™ Services are a customizable family of processes tailored to the individual researcher,
allowing for more robust analysis of the methylome than ever before. Highlights of these services
include…
 Next-Gen bisulfite sequencing platforms for genome-wide and whole-genome
DNA methylation analysis
 Low DNA input (< 500 ng genomic DNA)
 Applicable to a broad range of sample sources (human, mouse, rat, plant, etc.)
 Streamlined workflows with comprehensive bioinformatic analysis and high
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EpiQuest™ Workflow
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DNA fragmentation, end modification, adaptor addition,
size selection, bisulfite conversion, limited amplification
5-Hydroxymethylcytosine
Library Construction
What’s the future of epigenetic
research?
Next-Gen Sequencing
To date, epigenetic modification of DNA has been most closely associated with detection and
quantitation of 5-methylcytosine (5-mC). The so-called “fifth base” has become a springboard for
the study of the closely related 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5-hmC). The modified base is speculated
to be an intermediate in oxidative demethylation pathways, but could itself constitute a new layer
of epigenetic regulation, gaining attention in recent years as a potential epigenetic factor in fields
ranging from ES-cell renewal and cell mass specification (Ito et al, 2010) to several myelodysplastic
pathologies (Lorsbach et al, 2003).
Bioinformatic Processing
Publishable Data
Learn more at www.zymoresearch.com
THE
Epigenetics
COMPANY™
How does epigenetics play a key role in your research?
Development & Stem Cells
Cancer
Aging
The development of an organism is dictated by precise
gene expression. Epigenetics, especially DNA methylation,
is a critical factor in the development process. Following
fertilization of the egg, a wave of DNA demethylation is
followed by remethylation events to “reprogram” the maternal
and paternal genomes for proper zygote development.
Accordingly, misregulation of these epigenetic factors can
result in developmental abnormalities. Therefore, research
focused on the mechanisms and roles of DNA methylation/
hydroxymethylation in development should be essential for
understanding developmental and stem cell biology.
Cancer has conventionally been considered a genetic disorder.
However, recent research has demonstrated epigenetic factors
to be important in cancer biology. Aberrant DNA methylation
(5-mC) and potentially hydroxymethylation (5-hmC) can result
in the misregulation of gene expression (e.g., silencing of tumor
suppressors and activating oncogenes), chromosomal instability,
and mutations. A better understanding of the relationship
between epigenetic regulation and cancer will be necessary for
greater advances in the understanding of both processes and in
the development of cancer therapies.
Aging is an inevitable part of life. DNA methylation patterns
are known to change with age. Recent research has
found that methylation at specific loci can be used as a
predictor of a patient’s age. Also, age associated diseases
(e.g., cancer, Alzheimer’s, etc.) can be correlated with
shifts in DNA methylation. An understanding of how DNA
methylation and age are correlated should give insight into
the processes of aging and disease.
The search for
epigenetic modifiers...
Methylated DNA (5-mC) Enrichment
Select & enrich specific regions of the genome based on 5-mC content.
Global 5-mC Quantification
Rapidly quantitate global levels of 5-mC in DNA from any tissue or sample source.
Locus-Specific 5-mC Analysis
Interrogate a gene(s) 5-mC.
Genome-wide 5-mC DNA Analysis
Determine genomic 5-mC content
Tools & Solutions
MeDIP1
MethylCap
Methylated-DNA IP Kit: Features a highly specific anti-5mC monoclonal antibody
for enrichement of methylated DNA from any pool of fragmented genomic DNA.
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LC/MS2
ELISA*
HPLC2
DNA Degradase™ & DNA Degradase Plus™ Enzymes: For preparation of DNA
prior to composition analysis by LC/MS, TLC, and HPLC.
2
Bisulfite Sequencing3
MSRE-qPCR5
Next-Gen Bisulfite Sequencing4
Methylation Array
EZ DNA Methylation™ family of bisulfite kits: The most cited chemistries for
rapid, complete conversion of DNA for methylation analysis. Spin column and
96-well plate formats allow for various sample inputs (DNA, cells, blood, etc.).
Converted DNA is ideal for PCR, bisulfite and pyro-sequencing, library prep, and
other analytical procedures.
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EpiQuest™ Services: Streamlined sample prep, Next-Gen sequencing, and
unique bioinformatic workflows for consolidated genomic DNA methylation
analysis. Flexible: broad range of sample sources/organisms, customizable, and
affordable.
4
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Hydroxymethyl DNA (5-hmC) Enrichment
Select & enrich specific regions of the genome based on 5-hmC content.
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Global 5-hmC Quantification
Rapidly quantitate global levels of 5-hmC in DNA from any tissue or sample source.
Locus-Specific 5-hmC Analysis
Interrogate a gene(s) 5-hmC content.
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OneStep qMethyl™ Kit: Single step, qPCR procedure for bisulfite-free
determination of DNA methylation status. Ideal for rapid screening of single- and
multi-locus DNA methylation.
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HMeDIP*
5-hmC Cap*
LC/MS2
TLC2
HPLC2
ELISA*
Quest 5-hmC Detection Kit™: For 5-hmC identification in sequence- and locusspecific context within DNA. Single tube reaction format for convenient DNA
analysis using real-time PCR.
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Restriction Digestion/qPCR6
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Genome-wide 5-hmC Analysis
Enrich and quantify 5-hmC in genomic DNA.
HMeDIP-Seq
5-hmC Cap-Seq7
Services for 5-hmC analysis: Please inquire, services@zymoresearch.com
* Coming soon.
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Tel: (949) 679-1190 | Toll Free: (888) 882-9682
www.zymoresearch.com | info@zymoresearch.com