NEXT-GENERATION LIQUID BIOPSY TECHNOLOGY
MultiAtomSeq
More insight from limited DNA.
Genetic and epigenetic signals, brought together.
MultiAtomSeq is an innovative sequencing library preparation strategy designed to extract complementary mutation, copy-number and DNA methylation information from the same limited starting population of cell-free DNA.
THE CHALLENGE
Finding a small cancer signal in a sea of DNA
In early-stage cancer and after treatment, tumour-derived DNA can represent only a tiny fraction of circulating cell-free DNA. Testing each biomarker separately can consume precious material, potentially leaving too few molecules for sensitive analysis.
01
Preserve precious material
Designed to make efficient use of scarce and fragmented cfDNA before dividing material for downstream analyses.
02
Combine complementary
signals
Bring together sequence alterations, copy-number changes and methylation features for a richer molecular profile.
03
Enable research discovery
Support exploratory liquid biopsy studies in cancer detection, treatment response and minimal residual disease.
THE MULTIATOMSEQ APPROACH
One starting sample. Two complementary views.
Cell-free DNA is prepared and amplified before being divided into genetic and epigenetic analysis pathways. Each branch produces a sequencing-ready library, enabling integrated analysis of multiple molecular features.
Illustrative overview of the MultiAtomSeq workflow. Simplified for communication; not a laboratory protocol.
1. Collect cfDNA
Obtain DNA fragments circulating in blood.
2. Prepare and amplify
Preserve and extend material for analysis.
3. Divide into two paths
Prepare genetic and methylation libraries.
4. Integrate insights​​
Combine complementary signals in research models.
EXPLORATORY CLINICAL RESEARCH
Promising signals in gastrointestinal cancers
Early research datasets suggest that multi-feature cfDNA analysis can distinguish cancer-associated signals from healthy controls. The following findings are preliminary and require independent validation.
GASTRIC ADENOCARCINOMA
Distinguishing pre-treatment cases from healthy controls
0.984
AUC, five-fold validation (± 0.010)
79
Pre-treatment cases
114
Healthy individuals
The multi-omics Tumour Signal Score also showed a directional difference in an independently assessed cohort of 42 patients following neoadjuvant therapy, supporting further investigation of treatment-response applications.
The reported discrimination is based on internal model validation. The 42-patient treatment cohort was used for exploratory post-treatment assessment, not as an independent healthy-versus-cancer diagnostic validation set.
PANCREATIC DUCTAL ADENOCARCINOMA
Early feasibility of blood-based detection
​
0.971
AUC (95% CI 0.932–0.996)
83.3%
Sensitivity (20/24)
97.5%
Specificity (39/40)
Joint methylation and mutation modelling was assessed in a 64-person dataset comprising 24 pancreatic cancer cases and 40 healthy controls.
Cross-validated internal assessment; threshold selected using the Youden index. No independent external validation is reported. This result should not be interpreted as established population screening performance.
Cohorts, modelling strategies and endpoints differ between cancer studies; results should not be directly compared. Figures are not evidence of regulatory approval or clinical diagnostic utility.
POTENTIAL RESEARCH APPLICATIONS
Exploring the future of liquid biopsy
Early cancer detection
​Investigating whether complementary genetic and epigenetic signals can improve identification of cancers when circulating tumour DNA is scarce.
Treatment response
Studying changes in cfDNA-derived tumour signals during and after systemic treatment.
Minimal residual disease
Exploring sensitive molecular monitoring after treatment, including longitudinal assessment of recurrence risk.
RESEARCH PARTNERSHIPS
Advance multi-omics liquid biopsy research with GeneFirst