MGI’s “Broadband” Sequencing Delivers Bandwidth to Achieve Genome for All Vision

MGI, a subsidiary of BGI Group, unveiled its novel CoolNGS chemistry, a disruptive new sequencing approach for its DNBseq™ sequencing technology that enhances the throughput, accuracy, read length and cost effectiveness of DNA sequencing.

As a global leader in innovative sequencing platforms, MGI is committed to developing and producing advanced genetic sequencing instruments, consumables and reagents and fostering the industry’s progress. CoolNGS was announced at the Advances in Genome Biology and Technology (AGBT) 2019 conference in Florida, where MGI scientific leaders delivered several talks.

At the conference, independently generated data from the DNBseq™ platform showed the instruments to be flexible and user friendly, with the base quality of sequencing data very high, read coverage evenly distributed, and very little GC bias.

The novel proprietary CoolNGS sequencing chemistry avoids DNA “scars” that can accumulate with traditional sequencing methods and affect the accuracy of subsequent reads. CoolNGS introduces unlabeled nucleotides and four fluorescent labeled antibodies in its cPAS (combinatorial probe anchored synthesis) sequencing process to recognize the incorporated bases. In this new process, the natural scarless bases are added in each sequencing cycle, enabling more accurate and longer reads.

CoolNGS also offers advantages in sensitivity and cost. “The multiple fluorescent dye molecules attached to the antibodies provide a higher signal-to-noise ratio and reduced consumption of expensive materials, together with incorporating natural bases with no interference between sequencing cycles,” said Dr. Radoje Drmanac, Chief Scientific Officer of MGI. “That’s what makes it so cool and natural for our DNBseq™, the most efficient high-throughput sequencing technology.”

Delivering the Breakthrough Technology Talk at AGBT on March 2, Dr. Roy Tan, general manager of MGI Americas, said MGI’s latest proprietary technologies, such as CoolNGS and ultra- high-throughput sequencing platform MGISEQ-T7, together enable a new era of "broadband" sequencing to “download” genomics information from millions of biological samples and improve our health.

Similar to the progress triggered by wide bandwidth data transmission, advanced infrastructure for obtaining and managing data from genomes will open the door to a new era of understanding biology and improving healthcare, Dr. Tan explained. “That is the infrastructure we all need to build together,” he said. MGI is committed to leading the industry into the era of population-scale genome sequencing by providing its customers worldwide with a unique, scalable sequencing platform.

MGI’s newest sequencing platform, MGISEQ-T7, can deliver a maximum data output 6Tb per day, double the throughput currently on the market. MGISEQ-T7 is built with innovative quadruple flow cell staging that allows simultaneous but independent operation of 1 to 4 flow cells in a single run. With MGI’s single tube Long Fragment Read (stLFR) technology, the platform enables both long fragment read data of up to 300kb and short read data at 5G (5 billion) reads per flow cell, as well as multiple applications, in the same run on the same instrument. With its breakthrough technologies, MGI advances not only sequencing throughput, but also bandwidth and quality.

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About MGI

MGI Tech Co., Ltd. (MGI), a subsidiary of BGI Group, is committed to enabling effective and affordable healthcare solutions for all. Based on its proprietary technology, MGI produces sequencing devices, equipment, consumables and reagents to support life science research, medicine and healthcare. MGI’s multi-omics platforms include genetic sequencing, mass spectrometry and medical imaging. Providing real-time, comprehensive, life-long solutions, its mission is to develop and promote advanced life science tools for future healthcare.

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About BGI Group

BGI was founded in 1999 with the vision of using genomics to benefit mankind and has since become one of the largest genomics organizations in the world. With a focus on research and applications in the healthcare, pharmaceutical, conservation and environmental fields, BGI has a proven track record of innovative, high profile research, which has generated more than 2,000 publications. BGI’s goal is to make state-of-the-art genomics highly accessible to the global research community and clinical markets by integrating the industry’s broadest array of leading technologies, including BGI's own sequencing platform, economies of scale, and expert bioinformatics resources. BGI also offers a wide portfolio of transformative genetic testing products across major diseases, enabling medical providers and patients worldwide to realize the promise of genomics-based diagnostics and personalized healthcare.