Measuring whole genome methylation via oxygen channelling chemistry

Successful use of demethylating drugs in cancers underscores the need to analyse whole genome DNA methylation in the clinic. Unfortunately, current methods are difficult to perform and require large amounts of DNA input. Herein we describe the first application of oxygen channelling chemistry for detecting DNA methylation which requires 2 hours to perform, 10-fold less input material than conventional methods, is sensitive to 5% difference in methylation and is able to differentiate samples before and after demethylating treatment.