Murrieta Genomics Subsidiary SimplSeq Files for Third Patent Designed to Improve DNA and RNA Sample Preparation

Murrieta Genomics has announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, SimplSeq Inc., has filed a new patent application for simplified sample preparation for Next Generation Genomic Sequencing (NGS). This is the third application filed by SimplSeq around technology that will greatly reduce cost, time, and complexity of sample preparation.

“I have been at the bench for over 20 years,” stated Brandon Young, CTO of SimplSeq, “and I have been frustrated over the hands on time and complexity involved in preparing biological samples for sequencing. While improvements in technology have vastly reduced the time and expense of genomic sequencing, sample preparation remains a huge bottleneck. SimplSeq is about to change that.”

Young explained that he has taken a new approach to preparing samples that has resulted in the removal of several steps traditionally needed for extracting, purifying, and amplifying DNA and RNA. What is currently a complex and time-consuming task that requires specially trained lab technicians can now be quickly and simply performed by general lab technicians.

“Traditional nucleic acid extraction, isolation and purification procedures are labor intensive, require multiple pieces of laboratory equipment and are not specific for nucleic acids,” Young said. “With SimplSeq’s process, NGS assays will not require ligation, multiple PCR stages or complicated targeted capture hybridization steps.”

“Every complex step in current sample preparation processes introduces the opportunity for errors to occur,” Young further explained. “We believe that by simplifying the process labs will produce more consistent and robust data. This process really is better, cheaper and faster.”

“Our goal is to substantially impact the genomic sequencing industry by bringing NGS to the masses,” said John Powers, CEO of SimplSeq. “By reducing the steps and complexity of the process, we are opening genomic sequencing up to hospitals, other point of care providers and labs deterred from bringing sequencing in-house because of the need for specially trained technicians or expensive automated robotic solutions.”

One major advantage of the new processing technology developed by SimplSeq is the preservation of original DNA or RNA material during the process. Using SimplSeq’s process, labs will now be able to biobank the original material for any number of future tests as well as regeneration of the original genetic material.

“In many cases, all of the original DNA or RNA is consumed in the sample preparation and sequencing process. If there is inconclusive data or new research developed that requires subsequent sequencing, another sample needs to be obtained. This can be very difficult if that sample is from a limited source such as a patient biopsy,” explained Powers.

He went on to explain that SimplSeq’s patented regeneration process will make an exact copy of the DNA sample in less than an hour and preserve the original sample. Current techniques to replicate samples take multiple days and deplete the original source sample.

SimplSeq was formed in November 2019 as a Delaware corporation by Murrieta Genomics, the genomic sequencing launchpad. As an incubator for genomic startups, the company is always looking for new research and ideas that can be commercialized. In this case, the company developed its own intellectual property to pave a simplified path to genomic sequencing.

“This is exactly the type of innovation and impact Murrieta Genomics was founded for,” stated Jay Goth, CEO of Murrieta Genomics. “We are at the beginning of a new genomic frontier and want to partner with the scientists and entrepreneurs who are going to transform healthcare, agriculture, veterinary medicine and more by developing new genomic sequencing applications.”

Categorised in: Blog Post, Precision Medicine, Press Release, Recent News

This post was written by mgjay