Sequencing

RNA sequencing is a technique used for real-time isolation and relative quantification of RNAs present in a biological sample. Compared with DNA, which serves as the genetic code for our cells, RNAs are dynamically synthesized, modified, and degraded with a myriad of functions in response to current environmental and physiologic conditions. Therefore, RNA sequencing provides active insights into differential gene expression at the molecular–protein level at the moment the sample was collected. This snapshot of information can be used to establish and identify molecular indicators at the cellular and tissue level for different clinical conditions and outcomes and ultimately deliver prognostic and diagnostic information.

Advances in RNA sequencing have been facilitated by next-generation sequencing methodologies, and Verici Dx utilizes this leading-edge technology for the interrogation of RNA sequences. Additionally, because these RNA samples are collected through blood draws, this approach offers a minimally invasive method for obtaining systemic molecular insights compared with traditional tissue biopsy analytics.

Cells synthesize hundreds of thousands of RNA transcripts and through the application of next-generation sequencing allows for simultaneous high-throughput, rapid, and highly accurate relative quantification and sequence determination of these RNA fragments from a single tube of blood. This has been made possible through the integration of various technologies and techniques, including high-resolution spatial coordinate mapping, extremely sensitive cameras, advanced molecular and biochemical techniques, and automated fluidics systems.

High-resolution spatial coordinate mapping allows for the sequencing of millions of RNA fragments simultaneously, due to each fragment being bound to a unique and fixed coordinate within the flow cell of the sequencing machine. The data readout at each coordinate is then captured by a sensitive high-resolution camera, which enables the mapping of data to an individual coordinate. Advanced molecular and biochemical techniques have also dramatically increased the speed and accuracy of sequencing and continue to improve. Additionally, automated fluidics systems have eliminated the need for constant human intervention and supervision during sequencing runs and have increased the efficiency and throughput of next-generation sequencing.

Although RNA sequencing technologies are complex, commercially available sample preparation kits and sequencing platforms, alongside growth in computational power and bioinformatics expertise, have made this technique increasingly accessible and propelled its widespread clinical utilization. Since the development of next-generation sequencing in 2009, the underlying technologies continue to advance and have become more affordable. This powerful technology is now well-established and used widely to gain molecular insights across almost all areas of biological and clinical research, drug development, and medicine. These technologies have led to explosive growth in molecular and disease mechanistic data that will help accelerate the pace of innovation in the years ahead.