TelOMpy enables single-molecule resolution of telomere length from optical genome mapping data

Pokrovac, Ivan; Stipoljev, Sunčica; Pezer, Željka (2025) TelOMpy enables single-molecule resolution of telomere length from optical genome mapping data. BMC Biology, 23 (1). ISSN 1741-7007

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Abstract

Background Existing methods for assessing telomere length suffer from various limitations, including low resolution, narrow scope, limited throughput, and poor reproducibility. These issues largely arise from the reliance on laborious and indirect approaches to telomere length measurement. Results We developed TelOMpy, a bioinformatics tool designed to determine the lengths of individual telomeres from optical genome mapping data. To demonstrate its capabilities, we applied TelOMpy to data from a Western diet mouse experiment, revealing substantial variation in individual telomere lengths and highlighting the impact of a high-fat diet on telomere shortening and loss. Utilizing a newly developed protocol for high-molecular-weight DNA extraction, we generated the first optical genome maps from sperm and compared telomere lengths between sperm and somatic tissues in overweight mice. Conclusions TelOMpy enables direct measurement of absolute telomere lengths at the single-molecule level across thousands of telomeres per sample. This approach eliminates errors associated with indirect methods and offers high analytical power and reproducibility, representing a significant advancement in telomere length analysis.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Telomere; Telomere shortening; Optical genome mapping; High-fat diet; Western diet; Overweight; Obesity
Subjects:	NATURAL SCIENCES > Biology > Genetics, Evolution and Phylogenetics
Divisions:	Division of Molecular Biology
Projects:	Project title Project leader Project code Project type Varijacije u broju kopija uzrokovane okolišem u mišjim spermijima-iCNV Željka Pezer Sakač UIP-2019-04-7898 HRZZ
Depositing User:	Željka Pezer Sakač
Date Deposited:	06 Nov 2025 14:49
URI:	http://fulir.irb.hr/id/eprint/10154
DOI:	10.1186/s12915-025-02437-y

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