SMRT Analysis

SMRT Analysis analyzes single-molecule, real-time (SMRT) DNA sequencing data from Pacific Biosciences to detect and characterize DNA base modifications and damage by analyzing DNA polymerase kinetic alterations.

Key Features:

• Detection of Damaged DNA Bases: Analyzes alterations in DNA polymerase kinetics from SMRT sequencing to detect damaged and modified DNA bases directly in the template.
• Single-Modification Resolution: Identifies specific base modifications with single-modification resolution.
• DNA Strand Specificity: Provides strand-specific detection and mapping of base modifications to leading or lagging strands.
• Comprehensive Damage Detection: Detects a range of damaged bases including 8-oxoguanine, 8-oxoadenine, O6-methylguanine, 1-methyladenine, O4-methylthymine, 5-hydroxycytosine, 5-hydroxyuracil, 5-hydroxymethyluracil, and thymine dimers.

Scientific Applications:

• Biological Process Insights: Identifies and characterizes damaged bases to provide insights into roles of these modifications in aging, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer.
• Research on DNA Damage and Repair Mechanisms: Aids studies of how cells recognize and repair diverse forms of DNA damage.

Methodology:

Analyzes kinetic signatures generated by modified bases during SMRT sequencing, using distinct kinetic patterns for different base modifications to identify and characterize them.