Novogene Europe has expanded its single-cell RNA sequencing capability at its Cambridge Omics Centre to support UK academic and industry researchers.

Novogene Europe has expanded its single-cell RNA sequencing capability at its Cambridge Omics Centre, bringing specialist sequencing, project support and bioinformatics services closer to academic, biotech and biopharma researchers in the UK.

The new service provides single-cell sequencing workflows using the 10x Genomics Chromium platform, alongside sample processing, quality control, library preparation, high-throughput Illumina sequencing and bioinformatics analysis.

The Cambridge capability initially focuses on 3′ gene expression using cells or nuclei and is designed to support research in areas including oncology, immunology, neuroscience, stem cell biology, developmental biology and translational research.

Single-cell RNA sequencing allows researchers to examine gene expression at the level of individual cells or nuclei, helping to identify differences between cell populations and investigate cellular states that can be difficult to detect using bulk sequencing approaches.

The technology can be used to study cellular heterogeneity and rare cell populations, with potential applications in biomarker research, drug discovery and the investigation of disease mechanisms.

The expansion follows the launch of Novogene Europe’s untargeted metabolomics service at the Cambridge Omics Centre and forms part of the company’s development of the site as a UK base for multiomics research services.

Novogene Europe already has single-cell sequencing capabilities in Germany. Its wider portfolio includes 5′ gene expression analysis and single-cell immune profiling, including T-cell and B-cell receptor sequencing.

Tingting Zhou, VP of Novogene Europe, said: “Single-cell sequencing is helping researchers study complex biological systems with a level of detail that is difficult to achieve using bulk approaches alone.”

She added that the expansion would strengthen local support for UK researchers working across areas including oncology, immunology, neuroscience, developmental biology and translational research.

The company said the Cambridge service combines laboratory workflows with sequencing infrastructure and bioinformatics expertise, allowing projects to be supported from sample processing through to data analysis.

The move comes as Novogene marks its 15th anniversary and continues to expand its European research services. The company said the Cambridge Omics Centre would build on the regional capabilities already available through its wider European network.

Kevin (Zhuocun) Lin, President of TusPark Holdings UK, said: “The expansion of single-cell capability at the Cambridge Omics Centre further strengthens local research infrastructure and supports the growing community of academic, biotech and biopharma innovators in Cambridge.”

The Cambridge facility is based at the TusPark Bio-Innovation Centre at Cambridge Science Park.

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