Epigenomics Ag

Qiagen Gmbh

Kurt Berlin

Alexander Olek

Matthias Ballhause

Dimo Dietrich

Matthias Schuster

Christian Piepenbrock

Reimo Tetzner

Jürgen Distler

Antje Kluth Lukas

Reinhold Wasserkort

Ute Wagner

Heike Ziebarth

Karen Cardon

David Gütig

Fabian Model

Ralf Lesche

Juergen Distler

Catherine E Lofton-Day

Andrew Z Sledziewski

Joern Lewin

Thomas Koenig

Theo De Vos

Anne Fassbender

Theo Devos

Tamas Rujan

Antje Kluth

David Guetig

Volker Liebenberg

Joe Lograsso

Jennifer Maas

Achim Ribbe

Philipp Schatz

Cathy Lofton-Day

Reinhold Wassenkort

Michael Wandell

Debjani Roy

Aspects of the present invention relate to compositions and methods for providing DNA fragments from a remote sample. In particular aspects a remote sample comprising DNA is provided, DNA is isolated from the remote sample, and the isolated DNA is treated in a way which allows differentiation of methylated and unmethylated cytosine. Additional, particular embodiments provide compositions and methods for methylation analysis of DNA derived from a remote sample. Other aspects provide for compositions and methods of whole genome amplification of bisulfite treated DNA. Other aspects provide methods for determining the presence or absence of methylation of at least one cytosine, or a series of cytosines in cis, in human DNA of a blood sample, a plasma sample, a serum sample or a urine sample from a human individual.

Method for determining the presence or absence of methylation in a sample

A method is described for the detection of the degree of methylation of a specific cytosine in the sequence context 5'-CpG-3&#x2032; of a genomic DNA sample. In the first step, the genomic DNA is chemically treated in such a way that the cytosine bases are converted to uracil, but not the 5-methylcytosine bases. Then segments of the genomic DNA which contain the said specific cytosine are amplified, whereby the amplified products are given a detectable label and in the following steps the extent of hybridization of the amplified products on two classes of oligonucleotides is determined by detection of the label of the amplified products, and a conclusion is made on the extent of methylation of said specific cytosine in the genomic DNA sample from the ratio of the labels detected on the two classes of oligonucleotides as a consequence of the hybridization.

Method for determining the degree of methylation of defined cytosines in genomic DNA in the sequence context of 5'-CpG-3&#x2032;

Aspects of the present invention relate to compositions and methods for providing DNA fragments from an archived sample (e.g., paraffin-embedded and/or fixed-tissue biopsies, etc.). Particular aspects provide methods whereby high yields of DNA are isolated as well as a substantial portion of the DNA consists of long DNA fragments, and where the isolated genomic DNA is free of associated or cross-linked contaminants like proteins, peptides, amino acids or RNA. The methods are facile, cost-effective, and are characterized by high reproducibility and reliability. Particular aspects provide methods for providing DNA fragments derived from an archived sample, wherein the yield of DNA before, for example, an amplification step is at least 20%, and amplicons up to a length of about 1,000 base pairs are amplifiable.

Method for providing DNA fragments derived from an archived sample

Aspects of the present invention relate to the determination of the DNA methylation level at one or more CpG position within cells of a defined type in a tissue sample. This methylation level is deduced from the total DNA methylation level of all cells of the sample and from the content of said cells of interest. In aspects of the invention, the cell content is determined by means of histopatholoy, staining methods, antibodies, expression analysis or DNA methylation analysis.

Method for the determination of the DNA methylation level of a CPG position in identical cells within a tissue sample

Aspects of the present invention relate to compositions and methods for providing DNA fragments from an archived sample (e.g., paraffin-embedded and/or fixed-tissue biopsies, etc). Particular aspects provide methods whereby high yields of DNA are isolated as well as a substantial portion of the DNA consists of long DNA fragments, and where the isolated genomic DNA is free of associated or cross-linked contaminants like proteins, peptides, amino acids or RNA. The methods are facile, cost-effective, and are characterized by high reproducibility and reliability. Particular aspects provide methods for providing DNA fragments derived from an archived sample, wherein the yield of DNA before, for example, an amplification step is at least 20%, and amplicons up to a length of about 1,000 base pairs are amplifiable.

The present invention provides an improved method for the bisulfite conversion of DNA, and facilitates the analysis of cytosine methylation of genomic DNA. Novel combinations of denaturing solvents, new reaction conditions and new purification methods provide surprisingly efficacious methods for bisulfite conversion of DNA relative to prior art methods. The converted DNA may subsequently be analyzed by many different methods.

Bisulfite conversion of DNA

A method is described for the detection of 5-methylcytosine in genomic DNA samples. First, a genomic DNA from a DNA sample is chemically converted with a reagent, whereby 5-methylcytosine and cytosine react differently. Then the pretreated DNA is amplified with the use of a polymerase with primers of different sequence. In the next step, the amplified genomic DNA is hybridized to an oligonucleotide array and PCR products are obtained, which must be provided with a label. Alternatively, the PCR products can be extended in a primer extension reaction, wherein the extension products are also provided with a label. In the last step, the extended oligonucleotides are investigated for the presence of the label.

Method for detecting cytosine methylations

A method for the detection of cytosine methylation in DNA samples is described. First, DNA is extracted from a sample and bound to a surface. In the second step, a genomic DNA sample is preferably treated with a bisulfite (=disulfite, hydrogen sulfite), such that all unmethylated cytosine bases are converted to uracil, while the 5-methylcytosine bases remain unchanged. In the third step of the method, one or more oligonucleotides is (are) hybridized to the treated DNA as primers. In the fourth step of the method, the hybridized primer(s) is or are elongated in a polymerase reaction. Here, labeled guanine nucleotides are preferably utilized which are essentially incorporated only if cytosine bases were still present in the treated DNA. Consequently, the extent of incorporation of guanine bases and thus also the number of incorporated labels is proportional to the methylation in the DNA sample under investigation. In the fifth step of the method, the labeled nucleotides that were not incorporated in the polymerase reaction are removed. In the sixth step of the method, the number of labels in the fragment generated by the primer extension is approximately determined by directly or indirectly measuring signal intensities emitted by these labels.

Method for the determination of cystosine methylation in CpG islands

Particular aspects relate to a method for determining the methylation pattern of a polynucleic acid, comprising: a) preparing a solution comprising a mixture of fragments of the polynucleic acid; b) coupling the fragments with a substance being detectable with a detection method; c) contacting a solution comprising the fragments of b) with a DNA microarray having a plurality of different immobilized oligonucleotides, each comprising at least one methylation site, at respectively assigned different locations thereon, the contacting under conditions affording hybridization of fragments with correlated immobilized oligonucleotides under defined stringency, and wherein the immobilized oligonucleotides have a length of less than 200 bases; d) optionally performing a a washing step; and e) detecting, using the physical detection method, such immobilized nucleic acids to which solution fragments are hybridized and/or to which solution fragments are not hybridized.

Method for determining the methylation pattern of a polynucleic acid

A method is described for the amplification of nucleic acids, in which the segments to be amplified are first hybridized with at least two primer oligonucleotides that have two domains, wherein the sequence-specific domain found at the 3-end hybridizes to the segment to be amplified, while the generic domain found at the 5-end does not hybridize. Then an amplification reaction is conducted by means of a polymerase and subsequently a labeled primer oligonucleotide, which binds to the generic domain of the first primer, is hybridized to the amplificate which is formed. In the last step, the sequence of the amplificate is investigated.

Method for the simultaneous amplification of multiple sequences in a PCR reaction and marking thereof

Described is a method for detecting 5-methylcytosine in genomic DNA samples. First, a genomic DNA from a DNA sample is chemically converted with a reagent, 5-methylcytosine and cytosine reacting differently, and the pretreated DNA is subsequently amplified using a polymerase and at least one primer. In the next step, the amplified genomic DNA is hybridized to at least one oligonucleotide, forming a duplex, and said oligonucleotide is elongated by at least one nucleotide, the nucleotide carrying a detectable label, and the elongation depending on the methylation status of the specific cytosine in the genomic DNA sample. In the next step, the elongated oligonucleotides are analyzed for the presence of the label.

Method for detecting cytosine methylation in DNA samples

This invention is related to methods, systems and computer program products for determining the biological effect and/or activity of drugs, chemical substances and/or pharmaceutical compositions using their effect on DNA-methylation as a marker for their biological effect(s). The invention is further related to the use of the inventive methods, systems and computer program products in obtaining new biologically active compounds which can be used as so-called 'lead'-compounds for new and effective medicaments and treatment strategies of, in particular, human diseases.

Method for determining the biological effect and/or activity of at least one drug, chemical substances and/or pharmaceutical composition based on their effect on the methylation status of DNA

The following invention concerns a method for investigating cytosine methylation by means of DNA repair enzymes. Here, the DNA is first converted so that unmethylated cytosines are converted to uracil, while 5-methylcytosine remains unchanged. Then the DNA is hybridized to oligonucleotides, whereby hybrids will be formed with or without erroneous base pairings, in each case depending on the methylation status of the DNA. Following this, the erroneously paired hybrids will be cleaved by repair enzymes. Then the methylation status of the DNA can be determined in different ways. The method according to the invention is particularly suitable for the diagnosis and prognosis of cancer disorders and other diseases associated with a change of the methylation status as well as for predicting undesired drug effects.

Method for investigating cytosine methylation in DNA by means of DNA repair enzymes

The invention relates to a method for detecting the methylation status in DNA samples. According to the invention, a DNA methyl transferase and a labeled S-adenosylmethionine derivative allow a detectable label to be covalently bonded to the DNA, in accordance with the respective methylation status of the DNA sample.

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Stahnsdorf, Germany

Kurt Berlin