The Discovery Series: Powered by myBaits

Transforming genomics with hybridization capture – from coffee crops to centuries-old remains

Hybridization capture brings optimization and impact to the forefront of discovery, offering researchers an efficient and targeted method for genomic analysis. In a series of mini-webinars, four scientists showcase how this method is reshaping research across disciplines including microbial ecology, agriculture, forensic science, and ancient DNA. From detecting rare signals without bias, to redefining species boundaries in coffee, to identifying individuals from centuries-old remains, these presentations highlight the impact of taking on NGS projects with a targeted approach. Continue reading to take a deeper look into how targeted enrichment with hybridization capture doesn’t just improve efficiency, but changes the story the data can tell.

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1. What happens when we get it wrong?

What if the microbes you thought were harmless, weren’t? What if a resistance gene looked rare – but only because you missed it? Researchers in Alberta took a deeper look into microbial risks in urban stormwater ponds, using hybridization capture to uncover the full story behind fecal contamination sources and enteric bacterial pathogens. The study identified new health threats, providing valuable insights for water treatment and regulations.

2. myBaits for Agriculture – Coffee phylogenetics and species delineation with Angiosperms-353

Globally, coffee is one of the most-traded commodities. Recent research examines species delimitation in Coffea liberica and its implications for the future of coffee under climate change. Understanding the taxonomy of different strains of coffee plants and the resistance genes buried in their DNA could provide breeding programs with the key to unlocking routes to genetic diversification needed to improve the species.

By combining genomic data with morphology and geographic context, this study reveals previously unresolved structures within Liberica coffee – an increasingly important crop for regions facing rising temperatures and water stress. Using the myBaits® Angiosperms-353 kit, researchers assembled a robust genomic recovery across these diverse and challenging samples. Watch the presentation by Alison Devault Enk, PhD for a look at how methodological choices in genomics can translate into real-world agricultural impact.

3. How modern forensic technologies identified the remains from the Warship Vasa

Reconstructing genetic information from centuries-old, environmentally exposed human remains presents fundamental challenges due to extreme DNA fragmentation, contamination, and limited endogenous content. In a study that centered around the genetic analysis of the 17th-century warship Vasa and the people who perished aboard it, researchers from Uppsala University combined low-coverage whole-genome sequencing with targeted enrichment using a forensic SNP capture panel. The team was able to recover thousands of informative markers for identity, ancestry, and phenotype.

The resulting data enabled detailed facial reconstruction and corrected long-standing assumptions. Notably, this study revealed that one individual historically identified as male, was in fact female, a finding that recently drew international attention. This talk offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how modern genomic technologies shed light on past events, both reshaping scientific interpretation and informing public history.

4. myBaits + ancient DNA

Reconstructing viral genomes from historical medical artifacts presents many challenges to genomic researchers including fragmentation, low-abundance targets, and background contamination. In a study from McMaster University, a team of scientists was able to recover near-complete orthopoxvirus genomes from 19th-century smallpox vaccination kits by using hybridization capture to enrich for viral DNA. Watch the presentation by Jen Klunk, PhD, to discover how the study uncovered genomic insights from irreplaceable archival samples and reshaped our understanding of pathogen evolution and the early history of vaccination.