Molecular Combing
Molecular combing is a technology that untangles the human genome and allows its direct visualization at the single molecule level.
Hundred genomes are stretched simultaneously onto pretreated glass surface to be analyzed.
Our studies
Our genome studies
The molecular combing technology allows structural, functional and dynamic studies of the human genome. The large number of genomes stretched on one coverslip provides statistically relevant results for each analysis.
A new outlook for genomic DNA analysis
The molecular combing technology is combined with two assays: The Genetic Morse Code (GMC) exploring the structural variations of the genome, and the Replication Combing Assay (RCA) focusing on DNA replication and repair dynamics.
Advantages
Single DNA molecule studies
The separation and stretching of DNA molecules allows the study of specific genomic regions.
A preserved genomic integrity
By avoiding genomic DNA fragmentation, our technology allows the study of multiple events occurring on the same genomic region.
A constant DNA stretching factor
Our MCS stretches DNA molecules at a constant rate, allowing us to a precisely evaluate parameters such as replication speed and inter-origin distances.
Genetic Morse
Code (GMC)
The GMC is a unique detection strategy allowing the direct visualization of large regions of interest to address structural variations and dynamic genomic events.
Applications
Replication Combing Essay (RCA)
RCA is a powerful and accurate approach to monitor spatial and temporal characteristics of the genomic DNA replication at a single-molecule resolution. For various possible experimental conditions, hundred intact genomic DNA molecules are stretched simultaneously at a constant elongation rate. This allows the precise evaluation of replication speed or distances between specific events occurring on the same molecule.
APPLICATIONS
Drug Discovery
To treat cancer, standard chemotherapies, together with some targeted therapies, use cytotoxic compounds that kill tumor cells by targeting their genomic DNA replication or their response to DNA damage (DNA Damage Response, DDR). By monitoring the genome-wide replication dynamics at a single-molecule resolution, RCA can evaluate the potency of such anticancer compounds with high accuracy, but also help better understand their mechanisms of action (MOAs). Several features of genomic instability, including replication fork stalling/slowdown, restart or variations of inter-origin/termination distances, are systematically analyzed. With RCA technology, Genomic Vision will assist pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies during their endeavors of successful drug discovery & development pipeline.
Research
Oncology is a highly competitive research area, driven by an increasing incidence of cancer worldwide. Monitoring the features of genomic instability, a hallmark of cancer development, is crucial to better understand these complex molecular mechanisms. For several years, DNA fiber analysis/RCA has been established as a gold standard approach to decipher the global DNA metabolism and more precisely to evaluate the replication stress induced by any genotoxic agent, such as anticancer chemotherapy compounds and radiation therapies. By providing unique added-value services (experimental design accompaniment, automated analysis), Genomic Vision helps investigators to gain molecular insights into these complex biological processes.