DNAnexus & AlidaBio Partner to Advance RNA Analysis
DNAnexus, Inc., a leading provider of enterprise platforms for precision health data, has announced a strategic collaboration with Alida Biosciences (AlidaBio), a pioneer in RNA epigenomic research tools. This partnership aims to accelerate discovery and advance research into epitranscriptomics activity, which encompasses complex chemical modifications to RNA that regulate gene expression. By enhancing understanding of RNA epigenetic modifications, the collaboration provides new opportunities for identifying biomarkers and drug targets linked to diseases such as cancer and neurological disorders. These biomarkers can provide valuable insights into how patients respond to specific treatments, thereby enabling more precise enrollment in clinical trials and ensuring optimal therapeutic outcomes.
The integration of AlidaBio’s EpiScout™ Analysis Suite Application onto the DNAnexus cloud platform represents a significant milestone in the field of epitranscriptomics research. EpiScout, a user-friendly informatics solution, is specifically designed to detect, analyze, and visualize epitranscriptomics activity accurately. The software processes data from sequencing libraries generated using AlidaBio’s EpiPlex™ RNA modification encoding kits. It employs custom algorithms for data normalization and integrates machine learning-based peak calling technology to accurately pinpoint regions of significant read enrichment and quantify their peaks. This seamless integration allows researchers to focus on biological discovery and large-scale experiments without facing technological challenges or workflow limitations.
According to Gudrun Stengel, PhD, CEO of AlidaBio, “AlidaBio is proud to be part of the DNAnexus ecosystem for precision health data. The EpiScout application is an intuitive, cost-effective solution designed to accelerate the data-to-answer workflow for labs that lack specialized epitranscriptomics bioinformatics expertise.”
The collaboration also highlights the increasing importance of cloud-based analysis tools in biomedical research. As next-generation sequencing (NGS) data becomes more prevalent, the need for accessible and reproducible bioinformatics tools grows. Hoang Quoc Hai Pham, a graduate student at the City of Hope National Medical Center, emphasized the benefits of using the DNAnexus platform, stating, “While NGS data is common today, complex analyses often require specific bioinformatics expertise. A cloud-based analysis tool like the DNAnexus platform empowers scientists at any level to analyze data while ensuring reproducibility. It also makes data more accessible and easily shareable with collaborators. I enjoyed using it for my [EpiPlex] m6A-seq samples.”
The impact of this collaboration extends beyond individual researchers. DNAnexus currently serves over 45,000 registered users across 48 countries, actively managing more than 105 petabytes of complex clinical, genomic, proteomic, and multiomic datasets. The company’s enterprise platform for precision health data adheres to the highest industry standards for data quality, security, privacy, and regulatory compliance. These capabilities make DNAnexus a trusted partner for organizations seeking scalable, cloud-based bioinformatics solutions.
Thomas Laur, CEO of DNAnexus, underscored the significance of this partnership, stating, “This collaboration with AlidaBio is a great example of how we continue to expand our cloud-based applications and enable our customers to unlock more actionable information hidden in their large multiomic datasets. Together, we are making these easy-to-use epitranscriptomics tools accessible, empowering more researchers worldwide to discover the next wave of biomarkers and therapeutics.”
The field of epitranscriptomics is gaining traction as researchers uncover the critical role of RNA modifications in gene expression and disease mechanisms. By hosting AlidaBio’s EpiScout application on its cloud platform, DNAnexus is facilitating broader access to advanced analytical tools, helping researchers conduct more efficient and accurate epitranscriptomics studies. The ability to analyze RNA modifications at scale is expected to drive new discoveries, ultimately leading to the development of novel therapeutic strategies and improved patient outcomes.
As the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries continue to embrace multiomic data analysis, the DNAnexus and AlidaBio collaboration exemplifies the power of integrating cutting-edge computational tools with biological research. The streamlined workflows and cloud-based infrastructure provided by DNAnexus enable researchers to focus on scientific innovation rather than technical hurdles. This approach not only accelerates discovery but also ensures that new insights into RNA modifications can be effectively translated into clinical applications.
Furthermore, the scalability and security of the DNAnexus platform provide a robust foundation for future advancements in RNA research. With increasing interest in RNA-based therapies and precision medicine, tools like EpiScout offer researchers the ability to explore RNA modifications in unprecedented detail. The integration of machine learning and cloud computing into epitranscriptomics research signifies a paradigm shift in how scientists approach the study of RNA modifications and their impact on human health.
This collaboration is part of a broader trend toward leveraging cloud-based solutions in biomedical research. As data volumes continue to grow, the need for scalable, efficient, and secure bioinformatics platforms becomes more critical. DNAnexus and AlidaBio are at the forefront of this movement, demonstrating how strategic partnerships can drive innovation and enhance the accessibility of advanced research tools.
