Life science firm MGI Tech has distributed its DCS Lab multiomic platform for sequencing, single-cell omics, and spatial transcriptomics to the first 10 laboratories participating in the company’s DCS Lab Initiative, a program aimed at equipping large research laboratories with the platform. The program is the company’s first endeavor targeting international laboratories with a focus on frontier science, aiming to facilitate large-scale leading multiomics laboratories, spur critical scientific research, and ultimately enhance global access to omics for the advancement of life science and healthcare, according to MGI.
DCS Lab, powered by MGI’s DNA nanoball (DNB) technology, is a comprehensive platform for the company’s sequencers, reagent kits, automation instruments, and data analysis tools. It can be tailored to different throughput needs to support a minimum of 10,000 high-depth human genomes, 3,000 single cells, as well as 480 spatial transcriptomic chips per year and can accommodate the addition of new capabilities, providing adaptability for evolving research needs.
National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS) and the Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem in China were among the first laboratories to implement the DCS Lab. MGI’s Brisbane Customer Experience Centre in Australia also recently upgraded with DCS Lab products, providing researchers in Australia and New Zealand first-hand access to MGI's trifecta of capabilities.
Upon the first month of the initiative’s launch, MGI opened the smart αLab at Hong Kong Science Park, leveraging various technologies like AI and data analytics to streamline laboratory operations, improve research outcomes, and reduce costs. The lab’s second phase will witness the implementation of DCS Lab with additional MGI products, including DNBelab C-TaiM 4 single-cell platform for droplet generation, DNBelab C4 pocket single-cell lab, and laboratory automation and bioinformatics products.
“As we delved into the intricate needs and demands of multi-omics laboratories, we recognized the significance of providing a superlative tool,” said Duncan Yu, president at MGI. “Our commitment was not only to address the challenges faced by these laboratories but also to leverage our diverse strengths and capabilities. We aimed to propel their work to the forefront of technology through the incorporation of our latest innovations. Understanding the complexity of their requirements, we were driven to offer a solution that goes beyond mere functionality, ensuring a seamless integration of cutting-edge features that truly empower and advance their scientific endeavors.”
Combining MGI's three core technologies, the DCS Lab Initiative represents the company's capability within the industry to provide end-to-end solutions for genomics, single-cell omics, and spatial omics. The advantage of DCS Lab, according to the company, is its ability to minimize the limitations of laboratory operating scale, capacity, and costs. Depending on researchers’ needs, a standard DCS Lab occupies only 100 to 150 square meters. A mini version of the lab can be kept within 100 square meters, and the super lab occupies about 300 square meters. Comprehensive workflow guidelines and technical support ensure that researchers can navigate through the complex omics research process and receive assistance whenever needed.
By alleviating the time and cost constraints commonly encountered by researchers and harnessing its capacity for omics research, DCS Lab provides users with an avenue to apply MGI's technologies and validate their hypotheses with confidence, said MGI. This empowerment enables researchers to embark on larger-scale omics investigations, capitalizing on DCS Lab's swift turnaround time and cost-effectiveness. Moreover, the DCS Lab empowers users to increase automation in existing laboratories, facilitating the adoption of more advanced technologies.
“MGI has a strong technology foundation and rich experience in supporting omics research, coupled with rapid platform integration capabilities that can be easily and quickly reproduced,” said Yu. “By harnessing MGI’s cutting-edge technologies and instruments, MGI possesses the capacity to offer a complete one-stop solution spanning the three key applications that will strengthen laboratories.”
From DNA data conversion and sequencing to analysis and data storage, MGI has supported multiple partners and labs, including National Genome Projects in Thailand, Indonesia, and Brazil, to establish an efficient workflow with accurate results with its range of clinical grade ultra-high, high, and medium-throughput sequencers based on DNBSEQ technology, as well as lab automation systems and BIT platforms. Notably, the company announced the DNBSEQ-T20×2RS* sequencer earlier this year, successfully lowering the cost of human genome sequencing to under $100 per genome.
In the field of cell omics, MGI provides leading platforms for rapid single-cell library prep and sequencing, such as the portable and power-free DNBelab C Series High-Throughput Single-Cell RNA Series Library Preparation Set V2.0 and DNBelab C-TaiM4. MGI’s cell omics platforms have been adopted by more than 100 research institutes and sequencing service providers. For its single-cell sequencing offering alone, MGI has been featured in over 50 research papers, including two in Nature and one in Cell. Among them, 21 papers cited an impact factor of 10 or greater, testifying to the performance of MGI’s tools.
Lastly, for spatial multi-omics, the users of MGI’s sequencers have leveraged Stereo-seq technology, which is built on DNB technology, to conduct extensive research in various fields. Stereo-seq is capable of accessing the whole transcriptome at true single-cell resolution with field-of-view options over 160 square cm, and it has supported impactful publications in Cell, Nature, and Science. In a study published in Cell in December 2023, researchers mapped a spatiotemporal developmental atlas of multiple human brain regions from 6–23 gestational weeks by combining spatial transcriptomics (scStereo-seq) and scRNA-seq. This study provided comprehensive insights into the regional specification in the developing human brain. In a July 2023 publication in Cell, Stereo-seq technology empowered scientists to create the three-dimensional single-cell atlas of the cerebral cortex of macaques and provided a reference for basic knowledge in the fields of brain science, such as human brain functions, brain diseases, and brain-computer interfaces. In addition to the Stereo-seq spatial transcriptomics solution, spatial multi-omics solutions have been launched in 2023, such as the Stereo-seq transcriptomics mIF solution, and the Stereo-seq transcriptomics H&E solution.
With the overarching vision of establishing an international network comprising large-scale, standardized multi-omics laboratories, MGI's DCS Lab Initiative welcomes applications from researchers and scientists globally who are engaged in omics research. By fostering collaboration and providing access to state-of-the-art technologies through the DCS Lab, MGI aims to catalyze breakthroughs and accelerate discoveries on a global scale.
Researchers and scientists are encouraged to join this initiative, contributing to the advancement of omics research and collectively shaping the future of scientific exploration.
To learn more, visit https://en.mgi-tech.com/.
*For Research Use Only, Not for use in diagnostic procedures.