Targeted Sequencing: Choosing Between Hybridization Capture and Amplicon Sequencing

Targeted sequencing is an effective way to sequence and analyze specific genomic regions of interest. This method enables researchers to focus their efforts on their desired targets, as opposed to other methods like whole genome sequencing that involve the sequencing of total DNA. Utilizing targeted sequencing is an attractive option for many researchers because it is often faster, more cost-effective, and only generates applicable data. While there are many approaches to targeted...

Using automation to prepare sequencing libraries isn’t a new concept, and most researchers are aware that there are numerous benefits to automating this process. However, many labs are still hesitant to switch to automation and often believe that it’s not suitable for their lab. To combat these concerns, we’ll cover some of the key advantages, review the most important considerations, and get real-world advice from automation experts to remove any lingering anxieties....

During library preparation, DNA or RNA targets are processed and converted into the appropriate format for a sequencing run. Library preparation workflows can differ greatly between kits and the needs of the experiment. Each library prep kit contains different components necessary to prepare the target nucleic acid for sequencing. The constant development of sequencing techniques has led to a growing number of library prep options, and the process of identifying the...

The introduction of single-cell sequencing has advanced the ability to study cell-to-cell heterogeneity. Its use has improved our understanding of somatic mutations¹, cell lineages², cellular diversity and regulation³, and development in multicellular organisms⁴. Single-cell sequencing encompasses hundreds of techniques with different approaches to studying the genomes, transcriptomes, epigenomes, and other omics of individual cells. The analysis of single-cell sequencing data i...

Single-cell sequencing is a technique used to investigate the genome, transcriptome, epigenome, and other omics of individual cells using high-throughput sequencing. This technology has provided many scientific breakthroughs and continues to be applied across many fields, including microbiology, oncology, immunology, neurobiology, precision medicine, and stem cell research.

The advancement of single-cell sequencing began in 2009 when Tang et al. investigated the single-cell transcriptomes...

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.

Read type and length
AVITI is a short-read benchtop sequencer that also offers an innovative...

Complete Genomics (an MGI company) released the DNBSEQ-G400 into the U.S. market this summer. DNBSEQ-G400 is a benchtop sequencer that uses MGI’S DNA Nanoball sequencing technology (DNBSEQ) that boasts low index hopping, low amplification bias, and low PCR amplification error accumulation. In addition, the instrument is capable of using an improved antibody-based chemistry, CoolMPS sequencing reagent, that reduces errors and improves the sequencing quality.

Read type and length...

Onso was the second sequencer Pacific Biosciences (PacBio) revealed during this year’s American Society of Human Genetics meeting (read about the first sequencer here). This benchtop sequencer uses sequencing by binding (SBB), a method unlike any other instrument on the market. SBB incorporates native nucleotides, has reduced molecular scarring, and reportedly results in significantly higher accuracy base calls than traditional short-read sequencers. The following sections highlight the important...

Pacific Biosciences (PacBio) revealed two new sequencers during this year’s American Society of Human Genetics meeting. The first instrument, Revio, which will be covered in this article, is a significant upgrade from their previous Sequel II device. It has lower costs, shorter run times, more SMRT Cells and zero-mode waveguides (ZMW), and significantly higher output compared to PacBio’s other sequencers.

Read type and length
As a part of PacBio’s long-read sequencing systems,...

In the Fall of 2022 Illumina announced their newest pair of flagship sequencers: the NovaSeq X and the NovaSeq X Plus. Their development was part of Illumina’s pursuit of lowering the cost of sequencing by dropping the price to approximately $200 per genome. The major differences between Illumina’s previous top sequencer (the NovaSeq 6000) and the NovaSeq X and X Plus are that the new devices have more affordable and updated reagents, faster run times, and the ability to process data directly...