MERCURIUS Total Drug-seq kits

When a 3′ readout is not enough

Some discovery questions need more than gene-level counting. When the biology depends on transcript structure, non-coding RNA, or events across the full gene body, a 3′-biased assay can leave important biology unresolved. MERCURIUS™ Total DRUG-seq is positioned for those studies, combining extraction-free total RNA-seq with full-length transcriptome profiling in a format built for chemical and genetic perturbation screening and target discovery.

Figure 1. Total DRUG-seq provides read coverage across the full gene body, supporting transcriptome analysis beyond the 3′-biased view of standard 3′ DRUG-seq.

Working directly from cell lysates, the assay brings broader RNA information into large-scale workflows without a separate RNA extraction step. That makes it a strong fit when a 3′ snapshot is no longer enough, but screening-scale practicality still matters.

Go beyond differential expression with transcript variants, splicing, and fusion genes

Differential expression can show that transcription changed. It does not always show how. MERCURIUS™ Total DRUG-seq is positioned for applications that require more transcript-level detail, including transcript variants, alternative splicing, fusion genes, and promoter usage.

That added resolution matters when transcript architecture is part of the biological question, not just overall gene abundance. For studies that need to interpret complex responses rather than simple gene-count changes, full-length transcript coverage can provide a more informative view of what changed across the transcriptome.

Full-length transcriptome profiling for target discovery and validation

Target discovery and target validation often require more than a high-level expression signature. Broader RNA coverage can add clarity when the goal is to understand pathway engagement, transcript complexity, or downstream consequences of perturbation in greater detail. MERCURIUS™ Total DRUG-seq is positioned for full-length transcriptomic profiling in chemical and genetic perturbation workflows, target discovery, and target validation.

The workflow is also designed to remain usable at scale. The user guide describes kit formats with 96- or 384-sample multiplexing depending on configuration, allowing samples to be pooled in a streamlined multiplexed workflow.

A natural fit for Revvity discovery workflows

MERCURIUS Total DRUG-seq fits naturally into Revvity discovery workflows and can be automated on the Fontus™ workstation for higher-throughput implementation. It complements PhenoVue™ Cell Painting Kits and high-content imaging systems such as Opera Phenix™ Plus and Operetta® CLS™ by adding full-length transcriptome information when transcript structure, pathway-level follow-up, or target hypotheses require more than a phenotypic or 3′ readout. Together with Revvity’s Dharmacon™ RNAi and CRISPR screening tools, these solutions can help address questions related to genes, pathways, and phenotypes in drug discovery.

Figure 2: Revvity solutions for drug discovery, including Dharmacon™ genetic perturbation tools, Opera™ and Operetta™ high-content imaging with PhenoVue™, and MERCURIUS™ Total DRUG-seq with Fontus™ for transcriptional profiling. Together, these help researchers address questions related to genes, pathways, and phenotypes at screening scale.