New research suggests that the physicochemical changes to DNA in a cancer-related methylation landscape can alter a DNA molecule's affinity for gold substrates.
With a DNA methylation atlas and deconvolution algorithm, researchers are attempting to trace cfDNA back to tissue sources in healthy or ill individuals.
Investigators published an initial report on the method, which they call cfMeDIP-Seq, last week, and are now hoping to move to analysis of samples from longitudinal health studies.
The team said it will partner with startup Early Diagnostics to commercialize the assay, which integrates DNA methylation analysis and computational technology.
Stanford University's Michael Snyder found that methylome shifts preceded spikes in his blood glucose levels, suggesting profiling could detect disease.
As one of six grantee projects, investigators from Yale, Harvard, and Rice University are partnering with Microsoft to bring forward a combined technique for the early detection of NSCLC.
The team uncovered more than 200 sites in the human genome that were differentially methylated based on parent of origin, including areas linked to disease.
