Functional Genomics

Our powerful functional genomics platform offers versatile tools for drug discovery, including genome editing, RNA interference, next-generation sequencing (NGS) and bioinformatics. CRISPR/Cas9 and RNAi enable functional studies in customized cellular assays. We can target single genes, gene panels, and up to whole-genome screening approaches. Our integrated NGS facility offers a variety of applications, including DNA, RNA, and amplicon sequencing. We are also a certified service provider for 10x Genomics single-cell sequencing technologies.

Characterizing Gene Function

Our functional genomics approaches are based on our advanced cellular assay platform in primary cells, cultured cell lines, and iPSC-derived cells. Different overexpression approaches, including viral vectors and RNAi- or CRISPR/Cas-mediated knock-down, knock-out, and knock-in, are available. Modulation of gene activity by RNAi or CRISPR/Cas9 can target single genes and expand to genome-wide screens in arrayed and pooled formats. To address your specific needs in target identification or drug target deconvolution, different readouts, such as proliferation, synthetic lethality, reporter gene activity, cell surface marker expression, or high content assays, and sequencing are possible. We can also combine compound HCA screens with CRISPR screens to narrow down the compound target space. In addition, we offer mutation-based approaches, such as MITE-seq (mutagenesis by integrated tiles).

NGS Services

Our experienced team offers integrated sequencing services for client projects from sample to result. We provide state-of-the-art NGS technology for the identification of novel targets and analysis of the mode of action of compounds at unprecedented resolutions. Single-cell sequencing is also well suited for the measurement of exploratory biomarkers in preclinical and clinical studies. Our NGS services are tailored to your specific requirements, including experimental design, professional execution in the lab, in-house NGS sequencing, and customized bioinformatics analysis—all integrated at our site in Berlin. We are experienced in handling preclinical and clinical (GCP-compliant) samples.

Selected services from our portfolio include:

  • DNA and RNA isolation services
  • transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq)
  • genome sequencing
  • exome sequencing
  • epigenetic profiling
  • ChiP-seq
  • methylome-seq
  • ATAC-seq
  • amplicon and panel sequencing
  • barcode-seq for, e.g., CRISPR screening, AAV, and LNP tissue distribution
  • 10x Genomics single-cell sequencing
    • scRNA-seq (3′ and 5′ RNA workflows)
    • scATAC-seq
    • T- and B-cell receptor profiling
    • CITE-seq
    • perturbation-seq (CRISPR ko or CRISPRi combined with single-cell sequencing)
    • custom scAmplicon-seq

Please inquire for further information.

Bioinformatics and Omics Data Analysis

We offer tailored in-house analysis of proprietary, experimental, and public biological data by our team of specialists. We employ state-of-the-art data science methods covering data mining and integration, multivariate statistics, data visualization, and machine learning. Our primary goals are twofold: first, to deliver scientific excellence using advanced analysis tools, and second, the placement and interpretation of results in the biological/pharmacological context to provide meaningful data to our clients. In silico target and indication space evaluation assists in predicting and ranking disease-causing targets. These predictions can subsequently be verified by our vast in vitro assay portfolio.

Selected services include:

  • in silico target and indication space evaluation
  • analysis of cellular screens (CRISPR, RNAi, MITE-seq)
  • next-generation bulk and single-cell sequencing data analysis as a stand-alone or fully integrated service
  • high-content cellular assay analysis: fully customizable microscopy image analysis at single-cell resolution, single-cell CRISPR screening
  • large-scale mass-spectrometry data analysis