MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL — In a groundbreaking advance that promises to reshape our understanding of genomic regulation in health and disease, researchers at the University of Minnesota Medical School have unveiled a novel methodology termed PARTAGE. This innovative technique enables the simultaneous measurement of DNA replication timing, gene activity, and copy number variations from a single biological sample, providing unprecedented insight into the dynamic orchestration of genomic processes. Published recently in the journal Genome Research, PARTAGE stands to revolutionize how scientists examine the interplay of genomic replication with transcriptional activity and structural alterations, particularly in cancer biology.
Traditionally, the genome has been interrogated through distinct assays—each dedicated to evaluating DNA replication timing, gene expression, or copy number changes in isolation. This separation has limited researchers’ ability to discern the causal and correlative relationships among these fundamental processes, leaving gaps in our comprehension of cellular regulation and genome integrity. PARTAGE bridges this gap by integrating these measurements into a single experimental framework, which streamlines data acquisition and augments the resolution at which genome function can be analyzed.
The principle underlying PARTAGE involves capturing and sequencing nascent DNA, assessing variations in gene transcription using RNA profiling, and mapping genomic copy number variations indicative of gains or losses in DNA segments. By processing these data layers concurrently, investigators can correlate replication timing with transcriptional environments and structural genome alterations with high precision. This holistic perspective opens doors to more accurately delineating how replication dynamics influence active gene regions and respond to genomic stressors such as those found in cancerous cells.
Juan Carlos Rivera-Mulia, PhD, an assistant professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School and principal investigator of this pivotal study, emphasizes the research’s potential impact: “PARTAGE lets us connect DNA replication, genomic alterations, and gene activity in a single experiment — giving us a more complete view of how the genome is regulated and how it is altered in disease, like in cancer cells. This work could help identify new biomarkers and uncover potential therapeutic targets.” His team’s efforts exemplify a move towards integrated genomic interrogation that could hasten the discovery of molecular drivers in oncology and beyond.
One of the striking outcomes of deploying PARTAGE is the confirmation of a robust linkage between early replication timing and regions of high gene expression. This relationship reinforces models in which gene-rich domains replicate earlier in S phase, reflecting active chromatin states conducive to transcription. Furthermore, PARTAGE’s fine-scale resolution uncovers subtle shifts in replication timing that accompany changes in gene activity and chromosomal aberrations, phenomena critical in tumorigenesis.
From a technical standpoint, the PARTAGE methodology involves isolating synchronized cell populations, followed by labeling newly synthesized DNA strands with nucleotide analogs that permit capture and sequencing. Simultaneously, total RNA from the same samples is extracted to profile gene expression patterns. Copy number alterations are inferred from sequence read depth, allowing detection of amplifications or deletions across the genome. This tripartite data acquisition in a consolidated experiment reduces variability introduced by separate assays and conserves precious biological material, facilitating studies in samples where cell numbers are limited.
Comparative analyses have demonstrated that PARTAGE yields results on par with gold-standard methods traditionally employed individually, verifying its accuracy and reliability. This validation underlies the method’s potential for broad adoption. As the technique matures, its multiplexed approach may be further refined to incorporate additional layers of genome regulation, such as chromatin accessibility or DNA methylation, providing an even more comprehensive genomic portrait.
Looking forward, the research team plans to apply PARTAGE to model systems of cancer to unravel how replication timing aberrations, gene deregulation, and structural genome rearrangements cooperate during oncogenesis. Since many cancers feature pronounced genomic instability and complex transcriptional reprogramming, mapping these features together with PARTAGE could illuminate mechanisms of tumor progression and resistance to therapies.
The implications of PARTAGE extend beyond cancer research into developmental biology and regenerative medicine, where understanding the coordination of DNA replication and gene expression is essential. Insights gleaned from this methodology may reveal how genome regulation is modulated during cell differentiation or in response to environmental stresses, aiding the design of interventions that enhance tissue repair or combat degenerative diseases.
Funding for this transformative research was provided by the National Institutes of Health, the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, Regenerative Medicine Minnesota, and the University of Minnesota Medical School. The study was led by co-first authors Lakshana Sruthi Sadu Murari and Quinn Dickinson, with valuable contributions from former postdoctoral associate Silvia Meyer-Nava.
The development of PARTAGE represents a paradigm shift, moving genomic science from isolated snapshots to integrated movies of cellular function. By capturing the temporal and spatial interdependencies of replication, transcription, and structural genome changes, PARTAGE enhances our capability to decode the complex regulatory networks that sustain life and drive disease. This advance marks an exciting horizon in genomics research, promising to accelerate discoveries and the development of targeted therapies.
Subject of Research: Genomic regulation integrating DNA replication timing, gene expression profiling, and copy number variation.
Article Title: Parallel analysis of replication timing, gene expression, and copy number with PARTAGE
News Publication Date: 04/08/2026
Web References:
– Genome Research article: https://genome.cshlp.org/content/early/2026/03/20/gr.281532.125
– DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1101/gr.281532.125
References:
– Research funding and contributions as per the University of Minnesota Medical School release
Keywords: Genomics, DNA replication timing, gene expression, copy number variation, cancer genomics, genome regulation, PARTAGE, integrated genomic analysis
Tags: cancer genomic regulationcopy-number variation detectionDNA replication timing measurementgene activity analysis techniquegenome function in cancergenome integrity assessmentintegrated genomic profiling methodnascent DNA sequencingPARTAGE methodologysimultaneous genomic assaystranscriptional activity mappingUniversity of Minnesota cancer research
