Press Releases

Sage Science to Distribute Universal Sequencing Technology’s TELL-Seq™ Linked-Read NGS Library Prep Kits

BEVERLY, Mass., and CANTON, Mass. — October 26, 2020 — Sage Science, a developer of products for improving sample preparation processes in life science applications, and Universal Sequencing Technology today announced a distribution agreement to improve scientists’ access to long-range genomic information produced from short-read sequencing platforms. Through the agreement, Sage Science will distribute Universal Sequencing Technology’s TELL-Seq kits to biologists in the U.S., including to users of its HLS-CATCH™ technique for targeting and analyzing large genomic elements.

The HLS-CATCH method uses Cas9 enzymology with the SageHLS instrument to purify large genetic targets directly from cells. The process yields intact genomic regions that are up to 500 kilobases in length, preserving them for analysis with targeted sequencing. TELL-Seq kits can be used to barcode molecules for linked-read analysis that makes it possible to characterize long-range information from short-read sequencing platforms. Together, the methods allow scientists to extract high molecular weight DNA — such as an entire gene — and generate data about structural variants and haplotype that would be difficult to access with a conventional short-read sequencing technique.

“We are committed to helping scientists generate better and more cost-effective results from existing DNA analysis technologies through improved sample prep workflows,” said Chris Boles, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer at Sage Science. “By distributing TELL-Seq kits to our SageHLS users and other researchers, we can leverage the enormous installed base of short-read sequencers and empower genomic scientists to produce long-range genomic data.”

The TELL-Seq kit can be used with very low sample inputs for de novo DNA sequencing. The whole procedure can be carried out easily in a PCR tube without the need for expensive instrumentation.

“The partnership with Sage Science not only creates another sales distribution channel for our TELL-Seq WGS Library Prep Kits, but it will also lead to an expanded product roadmap with linked-read kits customized for specific genomic targets,” said Tom Chen, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer at Universal Sequencing Technology.

Sage Science will be presenting results from an analysis of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes using the HLS-CATCH method and TELL-Seq kits at its virtual booth at the upcoming annual meeting of the American Society of Human Genetics, taking place Oct 27-30.

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Sage Science Receives $1.8M Grant from NHGRI to Automate the HLS-CATCH Targeted DNA Sample Preparation Method

BEVERLY, Mass. — May 21, 2019— Sage Science, a developer of products for improving sample preparation processes in life science applications, today announced the award of $1.8M from the National Human Genome Research Institute. The grant funds a two-year program to develop and commercialize a fully automated platform for its HLS-CATCH targeted DNA sample preparation process.

The HLS-CATCH method uses electrophoresis to extract intact DNA from cells into a gel matrix. The gel-embedded DNA is cleaved at specific genomic sites using Cas9 nuclease with guideRNAs. and large DNA targets (100 to 1,000 kilobases) are then be purified and collected. In this way, complex genomic phenomena such as repeat elements or structural variations can be analyzed using routine sequencing methods. Repeat elements such as pseudogenes and expansions are implicated in many inherited diseases, and structural variants are common in cancer genomes.

“We believe that we can provide a cost-effective DNA sequencing strategy to study genes that cannot be analyzed by current target enrichment methods or whole genome sequencing,” said Todd Barbera, Chief Executive Officer of Sage Science. “Using Cas9 to target and cut at specific sequences provides the flexibility to zero in on remaining dark areas of the genome, many of which are associated with disease.”

HLS-CATCH and is available as a manual method with the SageHLS system from Sage Science. Using the method, researchers and collaborators have sequenced a number of important genes including PKD1, BRCA1/2, MAPT and MHC.

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Sage Science Launches Instrument to Purify High-Quality DNA Directly from Cells

BEVERLY, Mass. — February 13, 2017 — Sage Science, a developer of products for improving sample preparation processes in life science applications, today announced the launch of a new platform that can extract and purify extremely large DNA fragments directly from bacterial and tissue cultures, blood samples, or other cell sources. The SageHLS platform will be on display at the Advances in Genome Biology and Technology (AGBT) meeting in Hollywood, Fla., this week.

Many genomic applications work best with high molecular weight (HMW) DNA, or very large DNA fragments. However, traditional sample preparation processes cannot manage DNA in these sizes, hindering scientists’ ability to capture optimal information from long-read and long-range sequencing, optical mapping, droplet digital PCR, and single-molecule tools. The SageHLS platform (short for HMW Library System) can purify DNA into fragments ranging from 50 kilobases to 2 megabases, providing the high-quality, long fragments needed for resolving haplotypes, structural variants, and other large or linked genomic elements.

“We believe that access to DNA molecules hundreds of kilobases or even megabases long will allow scientists to embrace advanced genomic technologies and reveal new insights about how large DNA elements influence disease and other phenotypes,” said Todd Barbera, Chief Executive Officer of Sage Science. “The SageHLS platform can purify DNA in sizes that no other tool can consistently handle.”

In beta testing, scientists at academic medical institutions have used the SageHLS instrument to extract DNA as long as 2 Mb as well as to perform targeted purification of genomic fragments with CRISPR/Cas9. Additional applications for the system are already under development.

For most samples, the SageHLS can recover at least a microgram of DNA, a sufficient volume for common genome applications. At launch, users will perform traditional library prep after purification on the SageHLS platform, but later versions of the system will directly incorporate this step for a more streamlined workflow.

AGBT attendees can see the SageHLS instrument and experimental results in the Sage Science suite (#3281) at the Diplomat Resort. To learn more about the system, visit http://sagescience.com/products/sagehls/.

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Sage Science Launches Proteomics Early Access Program for SageELF Instrument

BEVERLY, Mass. — March 26, 2015 — Sage Science, a developer of products for improving sample preparation processes in life science applications, today announced the launch of a proteomics early access program for its SageELF technology. SageELF is a protein sample prep tool useful for biomarker discovery, protein profiling, shotgun proteomics, quality control of biotherapeutics, and more.

With this early access program, Sage Science expands the applications of the SageELF instrument from whole-sample DNA fractionation to protein fractionation for proteomic workflows. The SageELF generates 12 contiguous fractions from a protein sample in a fully automated process that is more sensitive and reproducible than manual 1D gels. The tool can be used to reduce sample complexity, enrich for rare proteins, and improve recovery of all proteins in a sample.

“SageELF has been very well received by users in the genomics community, and now we are eager to see what users in the proteomics community will accomplish with it,” said Todd Barbera, Chief Executive Officer of Sage Science. “We have already seen remarkable results with antibody experiments and biomarker discovery studies, and we anticipate that our early access researchers will demonstrate many other creative uses and high-quality data with this unique technology.”

The SageELF, short for Electrophoretic Lateral Fractionator, automatically electrophoreses samples and elutes proteins from the entire gel lane into 12 elution modules. Users simply load their sample, start the run, and pipette out the fractions later. Unlike in-gel digestion, in which some peptides never leave the gel, the whole protein sample is electrophoresed into the elution modules.

Scientists interested in joining the SageELF early access program can visit http://sagescience.com/elf-protein/ for more information. The SageELFinstrument will also be on display at the upcoming annual meeting of the Association of Biomolecular Resource Facilities (ABRF) in booth #323 and at the Experimental Biology conference in booth #1065.

To learn more about the SageELF, visit http://sagescience.com/elf-protein/

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Sage Science Launches High-Throughput DNA Sizing Platform for NGS Workflow

BEVERLY, Mass. — November 11, 2014 — Sage Science, a developer of life science products for improving sample preparation processes in molecular biology applications, today introduced the PippinHT, a high-throughput version of the popular Pippin line of automated DNA size selection instruments for use with next-generation sequencers. The instrument will be particularly useful for scientists conducting large-scale genomic or transcriptomic studies.

PippinHT incorporates the company’s highly regarded sizing technology and increases throughput to 24 samples per run, compared to a maximum of five with Pippin Prep or BluePippin, and shortens run times by about 50 percent. The instrument offers an efficient, automated solution for scientists running sequencing labs, core facilities, and other laboratories producing large-scale sequencing data. PippinHT dramatically reduces NGS sample prep time and provides accurate, reproducible results while eliminating the risk of cross-contamination between samples.

“As the community shifts toward whole-genome sequencing, it is imperative for DNA sample prep processes to scale up and enable virtually limitless production to meet the soaring demand for sequence data,” said Todd Barbera, CEO of Sage Science. “The PippinHT is a direct response to customers who are eager to increase the throughput of their Pippin pipelines, and we’re proud to release an instrument that has the same high-quality standards as our previous products while significantly improving capacity and run times.”

Independent studies of size selection methods have repeatedly demonstrated that the Pippin platform offers unparalleled reproducibility, accuracy, and sample recovery. Precise size selection is critical for optimizing sequencing efficiency, improving genome assemblies, and reducing project costs.

“Our focus has always been on finding ways to make sequencing sample prep more efficient, and the PippinHT represents an important step forward,” said Alex Vira, Director of Marketing for Sage Science. “This will be a robust solution for scientists trying to keep up with the ever-increasing capacity of the latest next-gen sequencers.”

For more information about the PippinHT, please visit www.sagescience.com/pippinht

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