# Exonuclease Epigenetic Sequencing

> **NIH NIH R44** · ELECTRONIC BIOSCIENCES, INC. · 2020 · $896,993

## Abstract

Project Summary
There is a current need within the field of next generation sequencing (NGS) for new, enabling instrumentation,
capable of high accuracy, direct, native DNA sequencing, including the identification of canonical and modified
bases and the correct characterization of homopolymer stretches and repeating sequences. During this program,
Electronic BioSciences (EBS) and a team of field experts aim to solve the technical challenges associated with
the development of a completely new and novel nanopore-based sequencing platform, including the associated
methodology for sequencing DNA at the single nucleotide level, with the capability of directly and correctly
identifying chemically modified nucleotides. During this project, efforts will specifically focus on the high accuracy
detection/identification of 5-methylcytosine (5mC) and N6-methyladenine (m6A) sequencing, before pursuing
other modifications. At present, the scientific community’s understanding of the “epigenome,” i.e. the chemical
modifications which regulate the function of DNA, is still in its infancy. While there are many known chemical
modifications to either the base or sugar-phosphate backbone of nucleic acids, due to the lack of analytical
characterization methods available, the exact roles of these modifications remain to be assessed. New
technologies capable of elucidating the roles of these modifications have the potential to revolutionize the use of
the epigenome. Furthermore, with regards to homopolymer and repeat sequences of >6 nucleotides which are
commonly found in genomes, clinicians have identified that many of these sequences are expanded, contracted,
or mutated in cancers, neurological disorders, and heritable diseases, and therefore, sequencing for changes in
these regions has promising potential for utilization as routine genetic markers for diagnostics and prognostics
purposes. At the conclusion of this Fast-Track project, a multiplexed sequencing instrument that is ready for
immediate, expanded, initial user base use in laboratory settings will be developed and built, and complete
concept feasibility will have been demonstrated through both synthetic and genomic DNA sequencing, including
5mC and m6A characterization.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10009454
- **Project number:** 5R44HG010049-03
- **Recipient organization:** ELECTRONIC BIOSCIENCES, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** Eric Ervin
- **Activity code:** R44 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $896,993
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-09-01 → 2022-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10009454

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10009454, Exonuclease Epigenetic Sequencing (5R44HG010049-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10009454. Licensed CC0.

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