High-throughput genetic sequencer deployed in Melbourne

MGI, a division of global genomics company BGI Group, has announced that next-generation sequencing facility Micromon Genomics is the first Australian commercial user of its high-throughput genetic sequencer MGISEQ-2000. Located at Monash University’s Clayton Campus in Melbourne, the not-for-profit facility provides sequencing services including DNA, RNA, single-cell and customised applications.

“This instrument precisely fits our yield requirements, giving us the flexibility and scope to complete both small and large projects, without the necessity to queue large numbers of samples before commencing sequencing runs,” said Micromon Genomics’ NGS Manager, Scott Coutts. “Data quality is equal to or better than the data we currently generate on alternative platforms, as well as bringing about substantial service price reductions.”

MGISEQ-2000 is a comprehensive and flexible production-scale sequencer that supports a range of applications in research, clinical use, forensics and agriculture. It can produce 18.75–1080 Gb per run with a number of read length options, such as SE50, SE100, PE100 and PE150. It takes 48 h to sequence a PE100 run at full capacity, and less than three days to sequence PE150 at full capacity.

Based on MGI’s proprietary core technology, DNBseq, the product is said to support multisequencing modes with increased accuracy, decreased duplicates and reduced index hopping. The innovative optical and biochemical system also enables completion of the entire sequencing process within a short period of time.

A group from the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute recently validated the data from the MGI platform, showing what they describe as “a high concordance to detect germline and somatic SNVs and indels” compared with a competitor’s sequencer. The latest publication of a benchmark study for single-cell RNA-seq application on various high-throughput sequencing platforms meanwhile demonstrates the comparative high capacity and economic advantages of MGISEQ-2000.

MGI has a strong local support team based in Brisbane providing commercial support, technical training and aftersale services to the ANZ region. The company has also authorised Decode Science (DS) as its local distributor for next-generation sequencers and related products, with MGI and DS jointly providing aftersales applications and service support to new and existing units in the region.

“We are proud to support Micromon’s top-quality NGS services to the local researchers,” said MGI President Duncan Yu. “Working closely with our local distributor on the ground, we strive to provide the best sequencing experience for our customers in Australia.”

“The instrument fills a significant hole in the NGS market,” added Josh Warburton, CEO of DS. “The combination of the flexibility of the unit, robustness of the data and a significant cost advantage is creating considerable interest amongst Australian researchers. We are pleased that now Australian researchers can access the MGI technology locally through the capabilities of Micromon Genomics.”

Images courtesy of MGI.

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