Human DNA Methylation Screening Assay (Illumina 270K) Service

Introduction to Methylation Screening Array 270K Service

DNA methylation serves as a critical regulatory mechanism in the modulation of gene expression and maintenance of genomic stability. Alterations in methylation patterns are associated with various biological processes and diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, aging, and metabolic dysfunctions. While traditional genomic analyses predominantly focus on DNA sequence variations, methylation analysis provides an additional layer of regulatory information, offering deeper insights into disease mechanisms, environmental exposures, and personalized medicine.

Despite the increasing application of whole-genome sequencing technologies, including methylation sequencing, targeted methylation arrays like the Infinium™ Methylation Screening Array (MSA) 270K remain the platform of choice for large-scale epigenetic research. Earlier models such as the Infinium Human Methylation 850 and Infinium Human Methylation 935K arrays have significantly supported numerous studies. The Infinium™ Methylation Screening Array 270K, however, utilizes more advanced technology specifically designed for higher sample throughput, cost-effectiveness, and targeted analyses of specific diseases and environmental exposures. It represents the latest advancement in the field of human methylation research.

This service offers high-quality data from 270,000 specific methylation sites, making it particularly suitable for studies of complex biological traits and disease phenotypes. It not only enhances research efficiency but also provides high throughput at a lower cost, making it widely applicable for comprehensive health screening.

Infinium Methylation Screening Array. Image source: Illumina.

Highlights of the MSA 270K

Features of the MSA 270K Product

Selected Content for Population Epigenetics Research:

• Comprehensive coverage of biomarkers for common diseases
• Established epigenetic aging clock
• Newly focused content on functional genomics, including cell-type specific methylation, cis-regulatory elements, and common SNPs

Most Scalable Methylation Tool on the Market:

• Capable of processing up to 600,000 samples annually with a single iScan system
• High-throughput BeadChip technology reduces per-sample processing costs

Reliable Methylation Measurements:

• Over 98% inter-sample reproducibility
• Uniform CpG coverage equivalent to more than 100-fold sequencing depth

Workflow for CD Genomics MSA 270K Service

CD Genomics provides a meticulously designed workflow for the Infinium™ Methylation Screening Array 270K service, guaranteeing timely and dependable delivery of analytical results:

• DNA Extraction: Clients are required to submit DNA samples extracted from diverse biological origins.
• Bisulfite Conversion: The DNA samples are subjected to bisulfite conversion, a process that facilitates the detection of methylation patterns at specific CpG sites.
• Sample Processing: The converted DNA samples are further processed to ensure their adequacy for subsequent hybridization with the array.
• Chip Processing: These processed samples are then hybridized onto the Infinium™ Methylation Screening Array 270K chip, enabling the assessment of 270,000 methylation loci.
• Scanning: The array chips, post-hybridization, are scanned using the iScan™ system to produce high-fidelity methylation data.
• Quality Control Analysis: Ensuring data integrity, the resultant datasets undergo thorough quality control to ascertain their accuracy and reliability.
• Methylation Analysis: CD Genomics offers an extensive suite of data analysis services, which includes differential methylation analysis, normalization, and statistical interpretation, aiding clients in elucidating the interplay between methylation patterns and biological processes.

Sample Requirements

• DNA Quantity: A minimum of 50 ng of DNA is required per sample to ensure high-quality methylation analysis.
• Sample Type: The platform accommodates DNA from various sources, including blood, tissue, and cell cultures.
• Sample Preparation: DNA samples should be submitted in an appropriate buffer, such as TE buffer, and must meet the quality control standards set by CD Genomics.

Deliverables

Upon completion of the analysis, CD Genomics will provide:

• Methylation Data
• Gene Association Report
• Heatmaps and Visualizations
• Statistical and Bioinformatics Support

Applications of the MSA 270K

Over the past decade, the Epigenome-Wide Association Studies (EWAS) have significantly harnessed the Infinium™ Methylation Screening Array, enriching our understanding of common diseases, environmental exposures, and biological traits. The MSA 270K is particularly relevant in the following research areas:

Previously Validated Trait-Associated Content on Infinium Methylation Screening Array

Differences Between the 270K and 935K Arrays

The overlap between unique methylation sites in the 270K and 935K arrays.

CD Genomics also offers the Human DNA Methylation Assay (Illumina 850K) Service and Human DNA Methylation Assay (Illumina 935K) Service.

Why Choose CD Genomics

1. State-of-the-Art Technological Platform: CD Genomics utilizes the industry-leading Infinium™ Methylation Screening Array 270K and the iScan™ system, ensuring the generation of high-quality methylation data and efficient sample processing capabilities.
2. Efficient and Reliable Service Workflow: Our comprehensive service workflow encompasses every step from DNA extraction to methylation analysis, guaranteeing prompt delivery and precise analytical outcomes.
3. Customized Analytical Solutions: CD Genomics offers tailored methylation analysis services to meet specific client needs, supporting a variety of applications such as population studies and disease analysis.
4. Comprehensive Data Integrity Assurance: Through advanced quality control and data analysis platforms, CD Genomics ensures the integrity and accuracy of data across all projects, providing reliable analytical results.

The Infinium™ Methylation Screening Array 270K service offers a highly efficient, high-throughput solution tailored for large-scale epigenetic studies. This service is particularly well-suited for investigating common diseases, environmental factors, aging, and population health, providing researchers with precise and cost-effective methylation data analysis. CD Genomics ensures high-quality data analysis and interpretation, facilitating significant biological discoveries across various genomic domains and advancing the progress of scientific research.

MSA: scalable DNA methylation screening BeadChip for high-throughput trait association studies. (Goldberg, David C., et al., 2024)

Reference

1. Goldberg, David C., et al. "MSA: scalable DNA methylation screening BeadChip for high-throughput trait association studies." bioRxiv (2024): 2024-05. https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.05.17.594606