The panel is intended to detect RNA fusions and perform transcript variant analysis for oncology research using CeGaT’s software analysis along with Twist RNA Library Prep and fusion capture
The Twist Alliance CeGaT RNA Fusion Panel detects fusions in specific tumour types and finds new fusion events. (Credit: Warren Umoh on Unsplash)
Twist Bioscience, a synthetic biology and genomics company, and Germany-based CeGaT have launched the Twist Alliance CeGaT RNA Fusion Panel to advance research in oncology and precision medicine.
The Twist Alliance CeGaT RNA Fusion Panel is intended to detect Ribonucleic acid (RNA) fusions and perform transcript variant analysis for oncology research.
The panel uses CeGaT’s software analysis along with Twist RNA Library Prep and fusion capture for detecting fusions in specific types of tumours and for finding new fusion events.
Twist Bioscience said that the panel has more than 150 fusion genes.
CeGaT managing director and co-founder Dirk Biskup said: “We combined Twist’s RNA Library Prep and target enrichment capabilities with our expert knowledge in tumour diagnostics and panel design.
“This is how together we created the Twist Alliance CeGaT RNA Fusion Panel enriching for over one hundred and fifty fusion genes. This panel is designed to deliver high-quality results, even from low-input samples.”
According to the genomics company, RNA fusions support the disease evolution and progression, thus making them important biomarkers for oncology research.
Researchers can use the detection of fusion events to classify malignancies into molecular subtypes, which could help with studies on precision therapy options, said Twist Bioscience. The company further stated that researchers can also use them to keep an eye out for minimal residual disease (MRD) after treatment.
Twist Bioscience CEO and co-founder Emily Leproust said: “As we expand into the RNA market, the Twist Alliance CeGaT RNA Fusion Panel adds to our growing RNA sequencing toolset, which includes the Twist RNA Exome, RNA Library Prep and rRNA and Globin Depletion Kit.
“It also adds to our growing portfolio of DNA and RNA products that could be used to support precision medicine research in oncology.
“By partnering with CeGaT, we are able to offer researchers an end-to-end library prep workflow with Twist RNA Library Prep and fusion capture and CeGaT’s software analysis.”
In January this year, Twist Bioscience and Germany-based Centogene launched three diagnostic panels to support rare disease and hereditary cancer research.