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'Long-read RNA-seq technology directly sequences full-length RNA transcripts, providing opportunities to precisely identify alternative splicing events'

Wu, H. et al. Commun. Biol. (2023)

Accurately resolve and quantify full-length isoforms with nanopore reads of unrestricted length
Identify epigenetic modifications alongside nucleotide sequence through direct RNA sequencing
Scale to your output requirements with a range of nanopore sequencing devices

Capture full-length transcript isoforms in single reads

The identification of differentially spliced RNA isoforms, and their functional effects, is of high importance in the study of both healthy variation and disease, with aberrant splicing implicated in diseases including cancer and neurological disorders. However, legacy short-read RNA-Seq methods typically cannot span full-length transcript isoforms, requiring them to be computationally reassembled; this can lead to incorrect reconstruction. With nanopore reads of unrestricted length, isoforms can be sequenced end-to-end in single reads, enabling their unambiguous characterisation — and simultaneous quantification, in a single dataset.

Technology comparison

Oxford Nanopore sequencing

Legacy short-read sequencing

    • Generate complete, high-quality genomes with fewer contigs and simplify de novo assembly
    • Resolve genomic regions inaccessible to short reads, including complex structural variants (SVs) and repeats
    • Analyse long-range haplotypes, accurately phase single nucleotide variants (SNVs) and base modifications, and identify parent-of-origin effects
    • Sequence short DNA fragments, such as amplicons and cell-free DNA (cfDNA)
    • Sequence and quantify full-length transcripts to annotate genomes, fully characterise isoforms, and analyse gene expression — including at single-cell resolution
    • Resolve mobile genetic elements — including plasmids and transposons — to generate critical genomic insights
    • Enhance taxonomic resolution using full-length reads of informative loci, such as the entire 16S gene
    • Assembly contiguity is reduced and complex computational analyses are required to infer results
    • Complex genomic regions such as SVs and repeat elements typically cannot be sequenced in single reads (e.g. transposons, gene duplications, and prophage sequences)
    • Transcript analysis is limited to gene-level expression data
    • Important genetic information is missed
    • Eliminate amplification- and GC-bias, along with read length limitations, and access genomic regions that are difficult to amplify
    • Detect epigenetic modifications, such as methylation, as standard — no additional, time-consuming sample prep required
    • Create cost-effective, amplification-free, targeted panels with adaptive sampling to detect SVs, repeats, SNVs, and methylation in a single assay
    • Amplification is often required and can introduce bias
    • Base modifications are removed, necessitating additional sample prep, sequencing runs, and expense
    • Uniformity of coverage is reduced, resulting in assembly gaps
    • Analyse data as it is generated for immediate access to actionable results
    • Stop sequencing when sufficient data is obtained — wash and reuse flow cell
    • Combine real-time data streaming with intuitive, real-time EPI2ME data analysis workflows for deeper insights
    • Time to result is increased
    • Workflow errors cannot be identified until it is too late
    • Additional complexities of handling large volumes of bulk data
    • Sequence on demand with flexible end-to-end workflows that suit your throughput needs
    • Sequence at sample source, even in the most extreme or remote environments, with the portable MinION device — minimise potential sample degradation caused by storage and shipping
    • Scale up with modular GridION and PromethION devices — suitable for high-output, high-throughput sequencing to generate ultra-rich data
    • Sequence as and when needed using low-cost, independently addressable flow cells — no sample batching needed
    • Use sample barcodes to multiplex samples on a single flow cell
    • Bulky, expensive devices that require substantial site infrastructure — use is restricted to well-resourced, centralised locations, limiting global accessibility
    • High sample batching is required for optimal efficiency, delaying time to results
    • Lengthy sample prep is required
    • Long sequencing run times
    • Workflow efficiency is reduced, and time to result is increased

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