Loop Genomics SARS-CoV-2 Long-Read Sequencing Service

Loop Genomics has launched a service for sequencing SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, using long amplicons and synthetic long reads linked by universal molecular identifiers.

The service provides reads averaging 6 kb to 7 kb using only Illumina's short-read next-generation sequencing platform. The SARS-CoV-2 has a genome of approximately 30 kb. Along with consensus error correction, the technology allows researchers to characterize highly similar strains that have mutations thousands of bases apart.