A new method and device for identifying epigenetic modifications to chromosomes.  While it has been realized that epigenetic modifications have profound effects on cell development and disease conditions, current methods used to obtain epigenetic information are slow, require genetic material from many thousands of cells, and query only one epigenetic modification at a time.  The novel Cornell method involves a unique nanofluidic device that will allow information about multiple epigenetic marks to be obtained simultaneously and more rapidly from small samples, using a single-molecule analytical method.  The device isolates individual molecules of DNA or chromatin and optically identifies labels indicating the existence of a specific epigenetic state. A multiplexed format will further permit searching for the existence of many epigenetic conditions, simultaneously, in a single sample.

Potential Applications

• Epigenetic research, particularly epigenomic profiling and mapping

Advantages

• Multiple mark information obtained simultaneously
• Rapid analysis of very small samples
• Multiplexed format

File Number: 4823