Industry News: Active Motif and Swift Biosciences Partner to Help Advance Epigenetics Research

Epigenetics-based research tools company Active Motif, Inc. today announced it has entered into a technology development partnership with Swift Biosciences, a leader in sample and library preparation for next generation sequencing (NGS). The two companies have partnered to deliver technical advancements in ChIP-Seq (chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing) workflow, a foundation application for epigenetics. 

Samples used in the ChIP-Seq workflow are often challenging samples due to their limited amounts. Swift Biosciences has developed novel technologies that enable the use of very low input samples and when combined with Active Motif’s industry leading ChIP based technologies, the combination provides better sensitivity in detecting key protein-DNA interactions. The resulting combination of technologies is allowing researchers to use 10x to 100x less sample, using as little as 10pg of ChIP enriched samples.

This approach enables powerful techniques such as ChIP-Seq to now be used by disease researchers working with rare cell populations and extremely limited sample materials.

“This is an important strategic partnership,” said Joseph Fernandez, CEO of Active Motif. “ChIP-Seq is a technically challenging application where a major hurdle for researchers is generating good quality libraries from small amounts of starting material and the Swift Biosciences’ technologies overcome many of these hurdles. By implementing these technologies into our R&D efforts, we have generated many impactful advancements in our low cell ChIP programs and are now close to launching new, low cell ChIP-kits that will outperform anything else on the market.”

“We are honored to partner with one of the key thought leaders and major players in the ChIP-Seq market,” stated Timothy Harkins, Ph.D., President and CEO of Swift Biosciences. “Epigenetics is one of the more challenging genetic fields and had seemed to hit a plateau due to the limitations of sample inputs. One key technical advancement we are introducing with Active Motif is our molecular indices to enable the unique barcoding of every DNA molecule within a sample, providing better signal detection while utilizing more of their data.  By working together to combine the best of our respective technologies, we are providing real advancements that the broader community will be able to take as they continue to push how proteins and DNA interact.”