Wobble Genomics, a biotech startup stemming from the University of Edinburgh, has secured £8.5 million in funding for its groundbreaking RNA sequencing technology aimed at accelerating drug development processes.
Led by bioengineering expert Dr. Richard Kuo, the company’s approach addresses the challenges of sequencing RNA, boasting potential applications in cancer marker detection, agriculture, and ecology.
This development sets the stage for Wobble Genomics to make significant strides in the industry, competing with established players like Oxford Nanopore in the burgeoning field of genetic sequencing.
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What is happening and why it matters?
A startup emerging from the University of Edinburgh’s biotech sector, Wobble Genomics, has secured £8.5 million in funding for its pioneering RNA sequencing technology aimed at expediting drug development processes.
Wobble Genomics asserts that its technology addresses the challenges associated with sequencing RNA, a crucial molecule found in various organisms and viruses, characterized by its intricate molecular structure and instability.
The potential applications of Wobble’s RNA sequencing extend to cancer marker detection from blood samples, alongside applications in agriculture and ecology.
Established in 2021 by bioengineering specialist Dr. Richard Kuo, Wobble Genomics touts its methodology for “long-read sequencing,” enabling the comprehensive detection of RNA’s full length.
The pre-Series A funding round, exclusively through equity, was spearheaded by investment firms Mercia Ventures and BGF, with additional support from IQ Capital, EOS Advisors, and Old College Capital, the venture fund of the University of Edinburgh, bringing Wobble Genomics’ total funding to over £10.5 million.
Dr. Kuo, also serving as the CEO of Wobble Genomics, remarked on the advancements in genetic sequencing and the shift towards long-read sequencing, particularly in RNA, marking it as a significant development in biotechnology with potential to catalyze further innovations.
With the newfound investment, Wobble Genomics intends to scale its operations, commercialize its technology, and expand its team from 10 to 20 members within the next two years.
Lee Lindley of Mercia Ventures highlighted the broad-ranging applications of Wobble Genomics’ technology, particularly in the realm of precision medicine.
Upon its emergence from stealth and subsequent commercialization, Wobble Genomics is poised to compete with established players like London-listed Oxford Nanopore, which recently adjusted its timeline for developments in the field.
Top facts you should know
1. Level-Up Library Normalization Technology:
Wobble Genomics has introduced a groundbreaking solution to the challenge of traditional RNA sequencing – the Level-Up library normalization technology.
This innovation addresses the overshadowing effect of high-abundance genes, allowing for a uniform distribution of unique sequences in the cDNA library.
With sequencing costs reduced by up to 90% and an enhanced detection limit for nucleic acid biomarkers, Level-Up eliminates biases towards specific sequences, enabling more comprehensive and cost-effective genetic analysis.
2.TAMA 3rd Generation Long-Read RNA Sequencing Software:
Wobble Genomics presents TAMA, an advanced bioinformatic software tailored for long-read RNA sequencing.
With exceptional sensitivity in detecting novel genes and isoforms, including long non-coding RNA and Non-sense Mediated Decay RNA, TAMA integrates various data types for comprehensive transcriptome insights.
Ensuring reliability and accuracy through built-in quality control measures, TAMA enhances project management capabilities, offering researchers unparalleled insights into the transcriptome.
3.Pioneering Application of 3rd Generation Sequencing Technologies:
Wobble Genomics leads the charge in harnessing the potential of 3rd generation sequencing technologies, such as those from Pacific Biosciences (PacBio) and Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT), for transcriptome analysis.
By utilizing long reads that span larger genome regions and capture full RNA molecule lengths, Wobble Genomics pioneers the application of these technologies in deciphering the intricacies of the transcriptome, marking a significant shift in genomics exploration.
4.Tailored Analysis Pipelines for Optimal Results:
Despite the similarities in data output from PacBio and ONT technologies, Wobble Genomics recognizes the unique characteristics of each and develops tailored analysis pipelines.
These pipelines ensure optimal results, enabling researchers to fully harness the potential of long-read sequencing for unraveling RNA mysteries.
By providing customized solutions, Wobble Genomics empowers researchers with precise tools for transformative discoveries.
5.Beacon of Innovation in Genomics:
Wobble Genomics is offering groundbreaking solutions that revolutionize nucleic acid biomarker discovery.
Through their Level-Up library normalization technology, TAMA software, and pioneering application of 3rd generation sequencing technologies, Wobble Genomics empowers researchers with unprecedented sensitivity, accuracy, and efficiency in genetic analysis.
As genomics continues to drive advancements in medicine and biotechnology, Wobble Genomics leads the way towards transformative discoveries that shape the future of healthcare.
Wobble Genomics Idea review*
*Idea Review” – is a special segment by the Lion Herald team aimed at sparking discussions and fostering understanding about the core principles behind innovation and digital companies. It’s important to note that the views expressed here are our own and may not necessarily reflect those of the companies we discuss.
Wobble Genomics addresses the challenge of maximizing efficiency in RNA and DNA sequencing for the discovery and detection of nucleic acid biomarkers.
Traditional sequencing methods often encounter obstacles such as high-abundance “housekeeping” genes, which can obscure the detection of novel biomarkers.
To overcome this, Wobble Genomics offers innovative solutions tailored to enhance sensitivity and accuracy in genetic analysis.
Their flagship solution, the Level-Up library normalization technology, tackles the inefficiencies of RNA sequencing by creating a uniform distribution of unique sequences in the cDNA library.
This breakthrough allows for maximum sequencing efficiency, reducing costs by up to 90% while improving the detection limit for nucleic acid biomarkers.
By eliminating biases towards specific nucleic acid sequences, Level-Up enables researchers to conduct more comprehensive and cost-effective genetic analyses.
Additionally, Wobble Genomics provides the TAMA 3rd generation long-read RNA sequencing bioinformatic software, designed specifically for analyzing long-read RNA sequencing data with exceptional sensitivity.
TAMA integrates various data types, including long-read data and public annotations, offering comprehensive insights into the transcriptome.
With built-in quality control measures, TAMA ensures reliable and accurate sequencing runs, enhancing project management capabilities.
The targeted audience or clients for Wobble Genomics include researchers, scientists, and institutions involved in genomics, molecular biology, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and healthcare.
These clients seek to advance their understanding of genetic mechanisms, identify novel biomarkers for diseases, and develop targeted therapies or diagnostic tools.
Wobble Genomics’ solutions cater to their needs by providing advanced technologies and analytical tools to streamline genetic analysis and accelerate discoveries in the field.
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