Ellis Bio Inc., a genomics biotechnology company, announced the publication of a new bioRxiv preprint from the laboratory of its scientific founder, Professor Chuan He of The University of Chicago (UChicago)/Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), describes the Ultra-Mild Bisulfite Sequencing (UMBS) method. UMBS is the foundation of Ellis Bio’s SuperMethyl™ Max Bisulfite Conversion Kit, which provides highly accurate methylation detection while minimizing DNA damage.

Following the SuperMethyl™ Max kit’s early-access launch at the ADLM 2025 Conference, Ellis Bio is highlighting the scientific foundation of its technology and the upcoming joint poster with The University of Chicago at the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) conference in Boston. Concurrently, Professor He will also present at the Epigenetics Society International Conference in Chicago.

Breakthrough in Methylation Detection

UMBS represents a significant advance in DNA methylation detection. The new bisulfite formulation and protocol developed in Professor He’s laboratory provide an exceptionally gentle, enzyme-free cytosine conversion method that maintains DNA integrity.

In the bioRxiv preprint, the UChicago team demonstrates that UMBS consistently achieves 99.8% C-to-T conversion efficiency, outperforming both conventional bisulfite and enzymatic approaches. The method supports robust, high-fidelity detection of 5-methylcytosine (5mC) from challenging low-input clinical samples such as cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and FFPE-derived DNA, making UMBS ideal for applications in biomarker detection and epigenetic profiling research where sensitivity and DNA preservation are critical.

From Academic Discovery to Commercial Translation

Ellis Bio holds the exclusive global license to the UMBS technology from The University of Chicago and has integrated it into its SuperMethyl™ Max research-use-only bisulfite kit. The kit’s optimized UMBS chemistry provides enzymatic-level DNA preservation without the complexity of enzyme-based reactions. SuperMethyl™ Max boasts a simple two-to-three-hour workflow, up to six times fewer false positives, and high-yield performance across multiple sample types.

“UMBS is an excellent example of how fundamental chemical insight can simplify complex workflows while improving analytical performance,” said Diana West-Szymanski, Ellis Bio Operations Lead. “We are proud to translate this innovation from Professor He’s laboratory into a reliable and accessible research tool.”

Joint Presentation and Future Outlook

At ASHG 2025, authors from Professor He’s research group and Ellis Bio will present a joint poster (#4037T) featuring UMBS technology and performance data. Ellis Bio will also exhibit at booth #461, The Methylation Station™, where team members will discuss SuperMethyl™ Max and other products. At the Epigenetics Society International Conference in Chicago, Professor He will give a keynote talk, and Ellis Bio will host an exhibitor table for attendees interested in its bisulfite kits.

“Our partnership with the University of Chicago demonstrates how academic research can drive innovation in the biotechnology industry,” said Ruitu Lyu, PhD, co-author on the UMBS preprint and incoming CTO at Ellis Bio. “UMBS sets a new standard for low-input DNA methylation detection, and SuperMethyl™ Max brings this capability into everyday research.”

About the bioRxiv Preprint

The preprint available on bioRxiv this week is entitled “Ultra-mild bisulfite outperforms EM-seq for 5-methylcytosine detection with low input DNA,” and is authored by Professor Chuan He’s team, including Qing Dai, Tanner Baldwin, Ruitu Lyu, Bryan Daniels, Yiding Wang, and others.