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Overview

Telomere Sequencing is a specialized Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) service for native long-read analysis of telomere length, subtelomeric structure, and adjacent epigenetic features. The workflow supports molecule-level characterization of telomere biology from extracted DNA without live-cell processing.

Arm-specific telomere length measurement across chromosome ends
Integrated subtelomeric methylation and structural variant analysis
Native DNA workflow using fresh or biobanked samples
Scalable study designs across research and translational applications

Telomere Characterization

Global and chromosome arm-specific telomere length analysis
Identification of short telomeres and telomere length heterogeneity

Subtelomeric Profiling

Subtelomeric methylation and DMR characterization
Structural variant and adjacent genomic context analysis

Research & Translational Applications

Aging, oncology, and telomere biology research
Biomarker discovery and longitudinal cohort studies

Technology and Compatibility

Telomere Sequencing applies specialized ONT long-read sequencing chemistry to high-molecular-weight genomic DNA, enabling direct measurement of telomere length and subtelomeric structure from native DNA molecules.

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Download Spec Sheet

Compatible with
High-molecular-weight DNA from human and other eukaryotic organisms
Fresh, frozen, cultured, and biobanked DNA samples
Research, translational, and telomere biology workflows

Component
Technology
Sequencing Chemistry
Native Oxford Nanopore DNA Sequencing
Preparation
ONT-compatible telomere adapter ligation and enrichment
Sequencing Platform
Oxford Nanopore PromethION

1. HMW gDNA Extraction
High-quality genomic DNA is isolated from samples
2. Library Preparation
DNA is prepared using ONT-compatible Telo-Seq library preparation
3. Long-Read Sequencing
Native DNA sequencing is performed on the PromethION platform.
4. Data Analysis
Sequencing data are processed through automated analysis pipelines.
5. QC Reporting
Arm-level TL distributions, subtelomeric context visualizations
6. Data Delivery
Results are delivered through the customer portal or AWS S3.

Metric
Typical Performance (Human Samples)
Samples per Flow Cell
Up to 12
Telomere Coverage
Minimum 10 reads per chromosome arm
Average Read Length
Long telomere-spanning reads
Replicate Precision
Technical replicate concordance (r ≥ 0.95)
CpG Coverage
> 95% CpG coverage
Available Epigenetic Signals
5mC, 5hmC, 6mA, non-CpG methylation

Bioinformatics and Data Outputs

Data outputs are designed to optimize data storage, transfer, and analysis. All outputs are easily accessible through the Client Portal and can be transferred via AWS S3 or other API connections as needed.

Data outputs are designed to optimize data storage, transfer, and analysis. Methylation data is provided in a unique CH3 file format which reduces data size by up to 95%. This memory-efficient format stores data in an on-disk database, enabling larger-than-memory tasks.

Renew developed the ModSeqR R package, which converts ONT methylation data into array-like formats compatible with tools such as minfi, DMRcate, and chAMP. This solution empowers researchers to efficiently leverage dWMS data within familiar frameworks, facilitating advanced epigenetic insights.

Download Case Study

Download Spec Sheet

Get ModSeqR on GitHub

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Data Outputs
QC Report
Sequencing metrics and run statistics
BAM
Aligned reads
CH3
Base modifications
POD5
Raw sequencing data (available for an additional fee)

Data Delivery Options
Client Web Portal
Manual download | Mac, Linux, Windows
AWS S3 Transfer
Automated process | AWS to AWS
Command Line Script
Manual download | Mac, Linux

Recommended Bioinformatics Packages
General ONT Analysis
Epi2Me
Epigenetic Analysis
ModSeqR, ModKit
Basecalling and Aligning
Dorado, MiniMap
Bam File Manipulation
Samtools
FASTQ Manipulation
SeqTK

Service Inclusions

Each project is supported by dedicated project management and cross-functional expertise across assay development, bioinformatics, and regulatory strategy. Renew provides proactive communication, transparent project tracking, and technical support from study design through data delivery.

With each project, you’ll receive the following:
Experimental design consultation
Standardized QC protocols for data quality review
Live project updates through the customer portal
Access to open-source variant and methylation analysis pipelines
Flexible data delivery options
Post-project consultation and technical review
Access to data analysis and regulatory experts as needed

Questions & Answers

What types of studies is Renew’s Telomere Sequencing designed to support?

Renew’s Telomere Sequencing supports studies requiring detailed characterization of telomere length and chromosome-end biology, including studies of aging and longevity, oncology, and biomarker discovery.

How is Renew’s Telomere Sequencing different from qPCR, TRF, or Flow-FISH?

Renew uses native long-read sequencing to measure telomere length while preserving subtelomeric context and native epigenetic modifications. Unlike methods focused primarily on global or population-level telomere measurements, the workflow provides chromosome arm-specific telomere length alongside subtelomeric methylation and structural information from extracted DNA.

What telomere and subtelomeric features does Renew’s assay measure?

The assay measures global and chromosome arm-specific telomere length, short telomeres, and telomere length heterogeneity. It also supports analysis of subtelomeric methylation, differentially methylated regions (DMRs), structural variants, and adjacent genomic context.

Does Renew’s Telomere Sequencing provide chromosome arm-level telomere length?

Yes. Renew’s workflow provides chromosome arm-specific telomere length measurements, enabling characterization of individual chromosome ends in addition to global telomere length and telomere length heterogeneity.

What information is included in a Telomere Sequencing report or data package?

Standard deliverables include telomere length measurements, chromosome arm-specific results, sequencing QC metrics, and sequencing data. Subtelomeric methylation, structural variant, and other project-specific analyses can be incorporated based on study objectives.

What sample types and input requirements are compatible with Telomere Sequencing?

Telomere Sequencing is compatible with high-molecular-weight genomic DNA from human and other eukaryotic organisms, including DNA derived from fresh, frozen, cultured, and biobanked samples. Project-specific input requirements are provided during study planning.

Can Renew support custom analysis or study design?

Yes. Renew provides experimental design consultation, bioinformatics support, QC review, and post-project technical consultation. Custom analyses can be developed around telomere length, subtelomeric methylation, structural variation, and other chromosome-end features based on study objectives.

Renew combines platform flexibility, nanopore expertise, and operational excellence to resolve areas of the genome that standard approaches cannot.

Telomere Sequencing