
Massive Parallel Sequencing

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Massive Parallel Sequencing (MPS), also known as Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) is the collection of technologies that are able to genotype (determine the sequence) of DNA or RNA fragments in a massive and parallel fashion.
The second generation MPS technologies rely on clonal amplification of the DNA/RNA fragments to be genotyped, whilst third generation MPS technologies can directly sequence single DNA/RNA fragments without prior clonal amplification.
The second generation technologies generate short sequences of the clonally amplified fragments and are referred to as short-read sequencers. They rely on sequencing-by-synthesis (SBS), where the stepwise incorporation of nucleotides - starting from a sequencing primer - is detected through changes in either fluorescence, pH or impedance. These technologies generally have a low error rate.
The third generation technologies generate long sequences and are referred to as long-read sequencers. The sequence of the DNA (or RNA) fragment to be inferred, is established by measuring either (1) the potential difference over a membrane when this fragment migrates through an nanopore embedded in this membrane or (2) the real-time incorporation of fluorescently labelled nucleic acids by a polymerase. Generally, these technologies have a higher error rate than the 2nd generation sequencing technologies.
Specifications & applications
Flow cell types
R9.4.1
R10.4
Standard v2
Standard v3
Nano v2
Micro v2
SP
S1
S2
S4
Max. read length
> 4 Mb
250 bp
300 bp
250 bp
150 bp
250 bp
150 bp
150 bp
150 bp
Max. run time
72h (interruptible at all time)
39h
56h
28h
19h
38h
25h
36h
44h
Max. capacity (bases)
< 50 Gb
8,5 Gb
15 Gb
0,5 Gb
1,2 Gb
400 Gb
500 Gb
1250 Gb
3000 Gb
Max. capacity (reads)*
< 5M (for avg. 10K bp reads)
15M SE - 30M PE
25M SE - 50M PE
1M SE - 2M PE
4M SE - 8M PE
0,8B SE - 1,6B PE
1,6B SE - 3,2B PE
4,1B SE - 8,2B PE
10B SE - 20B PE
* Abbreviations used : SR = Single Read ; PE = Paired End ; M = million ; B = Billion ; Gb = Gigabases
** To know more about the Q score metric, see below



Sample types

PCR products (amplicons) > DNA
Microtube* or 96 well plate
See test details/specifications
Room temperature

Blood > DNA
EDTA tube
10 ml (min. 3 ml)
Room temperature

Blood > RNA
PAXgene Blood RNA tube
10 ml (2,5 ml blood)
Ice pack

Blood > cfDNA/ctDNA
Streck Cell-Free DNA BCT
9 ml
Room temperature

Blood > cfRNA/exoRNA
Streck RNA Complete BCT
10 ml
Room temperature

Cells of various tissue origins > DNA
Microtube* with cell pellet or on lysis buffer
> 5 million cells
Dry ice

Cells of various tissue origins > RNA
Microtube* with cells on lysis buffer
> 5 million cells
Dry ice

DNA from various tissues > DNA
Microtube* or 96 well plate
See test details/specifications
Room temperature

Blood > DNA
DBS / Guthrie card / Punch in microtube*
Min. 1 punch
Room temperature

FFPE block of various tissues > DNA
Paraffin block (in cassette)
Representative block ; Tumor load preferentially >10% ; To be processed by our pathology department (microtome section needed)
Room temperature

FFPE block of various tissues > RNA
Paraffin block (in cassette)
Representative block ; Tumor load preferentially >10% ; To be processed by our pathology department (microtome section needed)
Room temperature

FFPE section of various tissues > DNA
Microtube*
Min. 1x 10 µm section (up to 2 mm³ tissue) ; Tumor load preferentially >10%
Room temperature

FFPE section of various tissues > RNA
Microtube*
Min. 1x 10 µm section (up to 2 mm³ tissue) ; Tumor load preferentially >10%
Room temperature

NGS library (non-PCR free) > DNA
Microtube* or 96 well plate
See test details/specifications
Room temperature or ice pack

NGS library (PCR free) > DNA
Microtube* or 96 well plate
See test details/specifications
Ice (max. 1 day) or dry ice

Plasma > cfDNA/ctDNA
DNA LoBind 5 ml tube
> 2ml
Dry ice

Plasma > cfRNA/exoRNA
DNA LoBind 5 ml tube
> 2ml
Dry ice

RNA from various tissues > RNA
Microtube*
See test details/specifications
Ice (max. 20 min) or dry ice

RNA from various tissues > RNA
Microtube* or 96 well plate
See test details/specifications
Ice (max. 20 min) or dry ice
