Providence, R.I. – September 21, 2026 -- Nabsys 2.0, LLC has published the first study combining CRISPR/Cas9 with its proprietary Electronic Genome Mapping (EGM) technology, demonstrating a method to both evaluate CRISPR/Cas9 activity and direct EGM to target specific genomic regions rather than only genome-wide analysis.
The preprint, titled 'CRISPR/Cas9 Optimization Using Electronic Genome Mapping: Potential Role for Studying Human Genetic Disease,' was led by John F. Thompson, Ph.D., Principal Application Scientist at Nabsys, and posted on bioRxiv.
Study shows EGM can assess CRISPR/Cas9 binding genome-wide
The research demonstrates that EGM can be used to evaluate the impact of guide RNA (gRNA) and PAM sequences on both on-target and off-target CRISPR/Cas9 binding sites. Nabsys positions this as relevant to laboratories developing CRISPR-mediated cell and gene therapies, where gRNA selection and optimization carry direct implications for therapeutic accuracy.
CRISPR/Cas9 used to enable targeted DNA labeling on the OhmX Platform
The team showed that CRISPR/Cas9 can drive targeted DNA labeling within EGM through label blocking, label insertion, or a combination of both. This allows researchers to combine genome-wide mapping with targeted analysis of specific regions, extending EGM's use into areas of the genome that are difficult to characterize using cytogenetic methods or standard sequencing.
Method detects FXN repeat expansions linked to Friedreich Ataxia
The study applied the CRISPR-EGM approach to detect FXN repeat expansions, the genetic cause of Friedreich Ataxia. The authors state the methodology could extend to other repeat expansion disorders, citing FMR1 repeats associated with Fragile X syndrome as a potential future application.
Barrett Bready, M.D., Founder and CEO of Nabsys, said the work shows the company can now control where genomic information is generated using EGM, not just detect it. Alka Chaubey, Ph.D., FACMG, Chief Medical and Genomics Officer at Nabsys, said the approach configures an EGM assay around a specific region of interest and could extend beyond the FMR1 and FXN genes studied.
The OhmX Platform underlying the study uses electronic detection, nanofluidics, and computational biology rather than laser- and camera-based optics used in traditional genome mapping systems. Nabsys designates the platform for Research Use Only.