454 Life Sciences has launched the GS FLX+ system, an instrument that is capable of generating extra-long sequencing reads for applications in de novo sequencing and assembly of whole genomes.
The system is also suitable for use in comprehensive transcriptome profiling, metagenomic characterisation of environmental samples and more The Roche company claimed that it is the first high-throughput sequencing technology to deliver millions of bases from reads with accuracy and lengths that are comparable to Sanger-based methods.
The improvements in read length also translate to a 50 per cent increase in total throughput, aiding in overall run economics and reducing the cost of large genomic projects.
The long, accurate reads have been found to be particularly useful for resolving highly repetitive regions within complex genomes, resulting in improved assemblies.
The GS FLX+ system is available as a new instrument or as an onsite upgrade to an existing GS FLX instrument and features a redesigned reagent compartment to accommodate the larger reagent volume of the GS FLX Titanium Sequencing Kit XL+.
An increase in the number of sequencing flow cycles, along with chemistry and software optimisation, enable read lengths up to 1,000bp (700bp mode).
The instrument is also backward-compatible with the existing GS FLX Titanium Sequencing Kit XLR70.
