AccuraDX Launches Research Kits to Enable Genome-Wide View of Transcription in Cells

AccuraDX has launched the KAS-Direct™ ssDNA Labeling and Enrichment Kit to provide researchers with a simple and robust way to directly label and read out transcription activity genome-wide to identify cell states in different biological processes.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210913005143/en/

The KAS-Direct™ ssDNA Labeling and Enrichment Kit, Version 1. (Image credit: AccuraDX)

The one-stop kit enables researchers to perform single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) labeling and enrichment in bulk live cells and fresh or frozen tissues. It is suitable for both researchers with less experience to next generation sequencing (NGS) library construction as well as experienced genomics researchers. Currently, most scientists would need at least three or four other technologies to get the same level of information that one can get from a KAS-seq experiment.

A University of Chicago spin-out company headquartered in Natick, MA with an additional laboratory in Chicago, IL, AccuraDX also is looking to expand its offerings for biological and clinical applications.

“KAS-seq provides a simple but robust method to directly read out transcription and enhancer activity genome-wide using limited materials. It can be applied to live cells, frozen tissues or even live animals and can provide temporal information as well. It should have wide application scope,” said University of Chicago Professor Chuan He, PhD, who is the Scientific Founder of the company.

The KAS-Direct™ ssDNA Labeling and Enrichment Kit Includes:

• Proprietary key labeling reagent and optimized buffers
• Proprietary biotinylation reagent and affinity capture beads
• Columns and buffers for extracting and purifying labeled DNA from cells and tissues

"With our first KAS-Direct kit in the market, scientists can now conveniently obtain the genome-wide information of both active transcription and active enhancers using DNA as the only starting material. This kit offers a new way to study important biological processes and regulatory pathways that could result in novel insights for researchers,” said Ye Fu, Vice President of Research and Development.

The KAS-Direct kit allows for up to 16 cell or tissue samples to be assayed and, when coupled with a compatible library construction kit and NGS, the full KAS-seq method can be performed.

“KAS-seq is a totally new technology for genome-wide mapping ssDNA, and the KAS-Direct kit aims to lower the barrier for scientists to use it in their labs,” added Diana West-Szymanski, PhD, Vice President of Operations. “Both experienced researchers and newcomers with little-to-no experience with next-generation sequencing methods will be now able to perform the key labeling and enrichment steps of KAS-seq easily. AccuraDX is the exclusive licensee of the technology and there are no other kits available to perform KAS-seq on the market.”

The Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation secured the intellectual property protection for the novel technology developed at the University of Chicago and executed the license agreement with AccuraDX.

About AccuraDX

AccuraDX is an early-stage biotech company developing genomics technologies such as KAS-seq and Keth-seq for research tools and clinical applications. The genomic technologies were invented at the University of Chicago and enable researchers to map the locations of ssDNA and single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) on the genome. In May 2021, the company launched the key molecule N₃-kethoxal (azide kethoxal) and borate buffer for researchers to perform KAS-seq and Keth-seq experiments and now offers KAS-Direct kit for KAS-seq research.

AccuraDX was founded in 2020 by President Frederick Jiang, a veteran venture investor and biotechnology entrepreneur, and Scientific Co-founder Chuan He, PhD, the John T Wilson Distinguished Service Professor of Chemistry at the University of Chicago. For more information, visit www.accuradx.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210913005143/en/