Chromatrap® provides a revolutionary solid state platform for chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) using spin columns or filter plates. Chromatrap® continues to help researchers get more from their epigenetics research.

Compared to standard methods, Chromatrap® is:

• Faster
• More robust
• Easier to use
• More sensitive, especially for low-abundant targets

What is ChIP?

ChIP is a technique used to study the association of specific proteins, or their modified isoforms, with defined genomic regions. It is a fast growing research technique and is commonly used for mapping the DNA-protein interactions in cells which are crucial for correct gene regulation. For example, they may be used to determine whether proteins such as transcription factors and modified histones bind to a particular region of DNA of living cells or tissues.

In a ChIP assay, fragments of the DNA-protein complex (chromatin) are cross-linked in such a way so as to retain the specific DNA-protein interactions. The chromatin is then extracted and shared either by sonication or enzymatic digestion into small fragments. The DNA/protein fragments are selectively immunoprecipitated using antibodies directed against the protein of interest and the resulting fractions treated to separate the DNA and protein components. Why is the Chromatrap® technology better?

Chromatrap® kits use spin columns or filter-bottom microplates which contain discs of a novel, inert, porous polymer to which Protein A or G has been covalently attached. This patented format is unique and has been granted in the UK (Patent No. GB2482209), the US (Patent No. 9523681) and China (Patent No. ZL 2011 8 0067254.X).

During an assay, the chromatin/antibody complex is selectively retained by the disc. Washing with three buffers and an elution step are all that is required to obtain the selectively enriched DNA, making Chromatrap® more efficient in the laboratory.

Advantages of Chromatrap®:

• ChIP in under 5 hours from chromatin preparation to qPCR
• Less manual handling, eliminating sample loss through multiple pipetting steps
• Single column and 96-well high throughput formats available
• Optimised for 1000 ng sample sizes, as smaller samples give better qPCR results
• Allows more IP assays from a single sample
• How does it perform in the laboratory?

Chromatrap® outperforms other chromatin immunoprecipitation assays because it has:

• Robust signal to noise- typically 2-3 times better than standard methods
• Low non-specific binding on the inert Chromatrap® discs
• No DNA clean-up required for qPCR
• High surface area and molecular mixing ideal for low abundant targets and challenging cell types
• Wide dynamic range makes it suitable for ChIP-seq
• 96 well format for high throughput analysis
• Allows more ChIP assays to be performed from a single sample

The novel solid state Chromatrap® protocols do differ from those used by other kit suppliers, including Active Motif, Diagenode, Cell Signalling Technology (CST), Abcam, Zymo Research and Epigentek, as these are all bead-based kits. It is therefore imperative that you carefully study the protocols used by Chromatrap first. We do not advise mixing buffers or washes from other manufacturers’ kits with Chromatrap® columns, as our superior solid-state chemistry may not be compatible with their kit components.

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