Following the unveiling of the CycloneSeq long-read sequencing platform, MGI Tech announced it now supports "all sequencing applications," a capability the company calls SEQ ALL. The term was introduced by MGI chief scientific officer Rade Drmanac at the Future of Omics conference in Shenzhen and Hong Kong in September.
CylconeSEQ joins MGI's short-read sequencing technology DNBSEQ, its spatial genomics system, Stereo-Seq, its DNBelab single-cell sequencing products, and its FluoXpert proteomics technology. According to the company, the SEQ ALL portfolio provides a comprehensive, end-to-end solution that enables discoveries across multiple omics fields.
While short-read sequencing is ideal for thoroughly examining specific DNA segments, long-read methods allow researchers to develop a more complete picture of the molecular information being investigated. Combining both approaches, MGI reasons, can address individual constraints, resulting in more comprehensive DNA analysis.
MGI provides short-read sequencing with a range of clinical ultra-high, high, and medium-throughput sequencers powered by its proprietary DNBSEQ technology. Earlier this year, MGI introduced the Standard MPS 2.0 (SM 2.0) upgrade for their DNBSEQ platforms, augmenting sequencing quality as indicated by the increased percentage of Q40 bases.
With the recent addition of long-read technology CycloneSEQ to its product line-up, MGI is now also equipped to sequence long strands of DNA/RNA molecules without breaking them into smaller fragments. With its capability to produce ultra-long read lengths, perform real-time analysis, and read at a fast speed, long-read technology offers advantages in fields like genomics, transcriptomics, and epigenomics. CycloneSEQ has shown promise in a variety of applications, including human whole-genome de novo assembly, variant calling, metagenomics sequencing, and single-cell RNA sequencing, according to the company. CycloneSEQ has proven effective in detecting complex genetic conditions, such as thalassemia. Additionally, it has been successfully applied in generating small animal telomere-to-telomere genome profiles.
MGI's long-read sequencing technology can produce reads ranging from 10 kilobases to even a megabase in length, compensating for the limited length of short-read technology, whose advantage lies in accuracy. The company believes this wider range of sequencing options increases efficiency and cost savings.
In single-cell omics, MGI provides single-cell library preparation and sequencing through a single platform. Last month, MGI released the DNBelab C series High-Throughput Single-Cell 5' RNA & V(D)J Library Preparation Kit. Paired with the previously released DNBelab C-TaiM 4 droplet generator, it enables droplet encapsulation of cells in just minutes. Together with MGI's DNBC4Tools analysis software, the kit can process up to 20,000 cells per slide per run, facilitating the preparation of single-cell 5' RNA, TCR, and BCR libraries, as well as comprehensive data quality control analysis.
In April 2024, MGI introduced FluoXpert, which enables DNA sequencing and multiplex immunofluorescence staining and imaging with the same equipment and has the capability of detecting over 20 proteins on a single tissue section.
MGI's spatial offering, Stereo-Seq, is the only spatial technology capable of accessing the whole transcriptome at true single-cell resolution, according to the company, with subcellular data achieved in Ultra-HD resolution and field of view options over 160 square cm.
The technology enables simultaneous transcriptome analysis at tissue, cellular, and subcellular levels from fresh frozen and FFPE tissue. By capturing mRNA on a chip and using spatial barcoding (CID), it allows in situ sequencing to link gene expression with cell morphology and microenvironments. The chip, made of billions of DNA NanoBalls (DNBs), is compatible with MGI's DNBSEQ platform for sequencing, which underpins the Stereo-seq system.
With the stated goal of providing end-to-end products for both research and clinical applications in DNA genomics, cell omics, and spatial omics, MGI launched the DCS (DNA, Cell, and Spatial Omics) Lab Initiative in 2023 and has now successfully set up 10 international laboratories with a focus on frontier science. Leveraging its extensive global network and stable logistics network, MGI said it aims to improve the efficiency of the entire laboratory process and promote innovation in the life science industry.