MGI promises to take genomics to the next level at XXIIIrd International Congress of Genetics

The prestigious five-yearly International Congress of Genetics (ICG) took place in Melbourne, Australia this year. MGI made a standout debut with its extensive product portfolio that takes sequencing to the next level. Under its newly launched Australia-wide “What if?” brand campaign, the life science innovator sets out to satisfy end-to-end sequencing needs with its full range of sequencers at various throughputs, automation platforms, single-cell systems, and bioinformatics products — promising a high quality, accurate and accessible genomics experience.

The key to responding to local unmet needs

Bred out of a commitment to developing core life science tools and technology, MGI first entered the Australian and New Zealand (ANZ) market in 2016. “We noticed seven years ago when we first arrived that few industry peers were prioritizing the ANZ market,” said Dr. Bicheng Yang, Director of MGI Australia. “The outcome was a lack of competition of the latest genomics technology and limited access to affordable resources, hindering the advances of life science research, medicine and healthcare discoveries.”

Since then, local governments, academic institutions, clinicians, and industry leaders have made great strides in attempting to unlock the full potential of genomics for the community. Notably, the Genomics Health Futures Mission, which began in 2019, has committed to investing $500 million over 10 years to save or transform the lives of more than 200,000 Australians through genomic research to deliver better testing and diagnosis.

As the ANZ market prepares for the new age of genomics, MGI has also been working closely with local partners to identify unique needs and continuously introducing new offerings to fill the gap within the local community. Since 2019, MGI has joined hands with advanced Australian service providers including Micromon Genomics in Victoria and the South Australian Genomics Centre (SAGC) in South Australia, in their efforts to empower local researchers by supplying MGI high-throughput sequencer DNBSEQ-G400. The comprehensive platform gave the facilities the flexibility and scope to complete projects at different scales that was never experienced before, marking important milestones in democratizing genomic services.

In 2020, MGI teamed up with local molecular genetics laboratory GNOMIX to further speed up democratization of sequencing in Australia. Equipped with MGI’s compact and flexible benchtop sequencer DNBSEQ-G50 and MGISP-100 automated sample preparation system, GNOMIX has been providing high-quality customized genetic services for customers home and abroad, including laboratory services, clinical trials, research projects, independent testing for commercialization, food and agrigenomics, and consultancy.

With a strong local technical team of operations managers, field application scientists, and engineers offering on-the-ground customer support, MGI set up its Australia Demonstration Laboratory in 2021 to further its commitment to researchers and users in Asia-Pacific by offering them troubleshooting, technology trials, and validation or proof-of-concept programs. To date, the company has implemented over 100 innovative systems supporting ANZ customers, including Australia’s first commercial ultra-high throughput sequencer DNBSEQ-T7 at SAGC.

Sequencing beyond the sequencer

“What we at MGI take the most pride in is a deep understanding of the ANZ market and its range of unique genomics needs,” said Dr. Yang. “To this end, we offer a comprehensive product portfolio of ultra-high, high, and medium throughput sequencers to accommodate different sequencing needs with accessibility and affordability.”

Over the years, MGI has brought forth a series of sequencing platforms based on its core DNBSEQ™ technology to expand genomics access in ANZ, including DNBSEQ-G99, an ultra-high speed, medium-throughput sequencer yielding an ideal balance between speed and affordability; DNBSEQ-G400, a versatile benchtop sequencer with high throughput that can flexibly support a variety of different sequencing modes; and DNBSEQ-T7, an ultra-high throughput platform that offers one of the highest flexibilities among sequencers in the market with four independent flow cells running at any time.

“Featuring DNA nanoballs, or DNBs, with high signal density on patterned nano-array, DNBSEQ guarantees high detection accuracy and efficiency, which in turn translates to accessible pricing and outstanding product quality for our customers,” said Duncan Yu, President of MGI. “Thanks to this state-of-the-art technology, we introduced DNBSEQ-T20×2, a fully automated sequencer designed to cover all ultra-high throughput sequencing needs in scientific research and clinical applications, ushering in a sub-$100 genome era.”

To MGI, however, sequencing is more than just the sequencer. To help users reduce human errors and address the common issue of system integration, the company offers a full lineup of automation platforms, ranging from the automated sample transfer processing system MGISTP series, to the automated nucleic acid extractor MGISP-NE series, automated sample preparation system MGISP series, and more. Truly realizing its vision of providing a one-stop-shop solution, MGI rolled out MGIGLab-L, the ultra-high throughput library preparation system that integrates MGI’s proprietary instruments for large-scale NGS library preparation spanning a range of applications and throughput needs.

In addition, the company’s single-cell system DNBelab C series supports single-cell transcriptome research and application of biological species with more than 30 species. Meanwhile, in the realm of bioinformatics, ZTRON is a GDPR-compliant, highly automated genomics data platform by MGI for its high-throughput sequencers. Dubbed “Sequencer Buddy”, it provides a high-performance edge computing and storage solution to execute laboratory management, bioinformatics analysis, data governance, and data delivery in a secure environment.

What If: An extension of MGI’s commitment

“MGI’s mission is to develop and promote advanced life science tools for future healthcare. We are dedicated to empowering the ANZ genomics community with our continued innovation,” noted Yang. “Our latest ‘What If?’ campaign signifies this very commitment. By prompting scientists, researchers and decision-makers to imagine the possibilities of having their most pressing genomics needs and desires met, we hope to redirect the industry dialogue from competition and comparison of platform specifications to customer-centered solutions.”

With seven years under its belt, MGI continues to provide an all-encompassing product portfolio and one-stop-shop solution worldwide; from finding the trifecta of speed, affordability and flexibility, to uncovering the possibilities of delivering the right targeted therapy in under 24 hours, and more. MGI’s “What if?”, backed by its range of solutions, provides “the right to another choice” for the community of Australia and New Zealand and a refreshing look into a brighter future with greater access to advanced genomics solutions.

For more information, please visit: http://mgi-whatif.com/

*Unless otherwise informed, StandardMPS and CoolMPS sequencing reagents, and sequencers for use with such reagents are not available in Germany, Spain, UK, Sweden, Italy, Czech Republic, Switzerland and Hong Kong (CoolMPS is available in Hong Kong).

*Products are provided for Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures (except as specifically noted).