Next Generation DNA Sequencing Facility

High throughput DNA sequencing with massively parallel sequencing technology is rapidly becoming a mainstay in present day biological research, whether it is in basic science, translational medicine or clinical investigations. Our department runs an AB SOLiD4 sequencing system to support the next generation sequencing needs of our investigators. This sequencing system will soon be replaced with the new SOLiD 5500xl sequencer, a higher capcity and more flexible system with two FlowCells, each with six independent run lanes. Together with the recently developed nanobeads, throughput per run will increase to 300Gb (4.8 B tags), with run time for mate pair libraries reduced to 7 days and with read lengths increasing from 50 x 50 to 60 x 60 per mate-pair, and with accuracy of 99.99%. In addition to the AB SOLiD instrument, the Sequencing Facility is also equipped with the Covaris S2 sonicator, which provides uniform DNA shearing critically important for library preparation via a computer generated, focused acoustics in an isothermal process, the AB Easy Bead System comprising the Easy Bead emulsifier, amplifier and enricher, which together provide full automation of bead preparation, saving time and ensuring sample-to-sample reproducibility.