AVITI from Element Biosciences: Latest Sequencing Technologies—Part 6

Element Biosciences made its sequencing market debut this year when it released AVITI, its first sequencer. The AVITI System uses avidity sequencing, a novel sequencing chemistry that delivers higher quality data, decreases cycle times, and requires lower reagent concentrations. This new instrument reportedly features lower operating and start-up costs while maintaining quality sequencing.

Image of AVITI (courtesy of Element Biosciences)

Read type and length
AVITI is a short-read benchtop sequencer that also offers an innovative barcoding technology, LoopSeq, which provides similar capabilities to long-read instruments for sequencing extended stretches of DNA. The currently available sequencing kits are the AVITI 2x150 Sequencing Kit (300 cycles) and the AVITI 2x75 Sequencing Kit (150 cycles). Both kits will also offer a newer and faster chemistry, Avidity Cloudbreak, in early 2023 along with the release of a 2 x 300 sequencing kit.

Flow cell/SMRT Cell options
The AVITI System has the ability to run two random access flow cells. The flow cells are independent and allow the flexibility for operating two separate sequencing runs.

Data output
The operating software has a tunable read throughput control, allowing users more run flexibility for their data output and read lengths. The data output ranges from 150 to 600 Gb depending on the selection of the read lengths and a single or dual flow cell run. Run times are 13 to 48 hours based on the reagent kit and read lengths. In addition, a single flow cell run on the instrument can produce over a billion reads passing filter.

Analysis options
Bases2Fastq software converts base calls into FASTQ file output. The resulting FASTQ files can then be easily integrated into many existing secondary analysis tools.

Common applications
• Whole genome sequencing
• Single-cell and bulk RNA sequencing
• Targeted sequencing
• Element LoopSeq 16S
• Element LoopSeq amplicon

Release date
The AVITI System was launched in May of 2022 and then officially released for distribution in June of this year.

Highlights
• High-quality data and reduced reagent consumption through avidity sequencing
• Lower operating cost and reagent prices guaranteed for the system’s lifetime
• Tunable read throughput control to give users more run customization and flexibility
• Compatible with established applications and third-party library preps
• Ability to operate two independent flow cells on the same instrument

To compare sequencing technologies please visit Biocompare