Agencourt Genomic Services Sponsors Comparative Study of Next-Generation Sequencing Platforms
Published results demonstrate efficacy of new sequencing technologies for mutational analysis of novel yeast strains
ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. (September 18, 2008) — Agencourt Bioscience Corporation, a Beckman Coulter company, announced today that a study comparing next-generation sequencing platforms, sponsored in part by Agencourt Genomic Services, will be published in the October issue of Genome Research. It has already been posted on the publication’s web site at:http://genome.cshlp.org/papbyrecent.shtml. The paper, “Rapid whole-genome mutational profiling using next-generation sequencing technologies,” focuses on a mutant strain of the yeast Pichia stipitis. This has potential applications in the development of biofuels, based on an increased efficiency in fermenting xylose to ethanol by the strain. The genome was sequenced on three different platforms: 454 Life Sciences (Roche), Illumina and Applied Biosystems’ SOLiD System and the data was then compared with the previously sequenced parent strain. The results demonstrate that all three of these new, high-throughput, massively parallel sequencing technologies are capable of completely and accurately characterizing the genome of a mutant strain relative to a previously sequenced reference genome.
“The application of these next-generation technologies could help accelerate the development of novel organisms for bioenergy and biotechnology applications,” commented Douglas R. Smith, director, science and technology, for Agencourt Genomic Services.
Agencourt’s objectives in sponsoring this study were to demonstrate the capabilities of next-generation sequencing platforms and to provide a benchmark for comparing these new technologies. This is the first comparison study using the same organism. Sequencing on the SOLiD and 454 platforms was performed by Agencourt Genomic Services in collaboration with Applied Biosystems, while the U.S. Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute conducted the sequencing on the Illumina platform. Other collaborators on the study included Thomas Jeffries of the Institute for Microbial and Biochemical Technology, US Forest Products Laboratory and members of Gabor Marth’s group at Boston College.
“As the largest commercial sequencing service provider, it’s important that we develop benchmarks to enable us to define the best platform for each customer application,” explained Smith. “We will continue to conduct this kind of research to ensure that our sequencing is performed on the most advanced platforms available.”
Agencourt Bioscience Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Beckman Coulter, is a leading provider of nucleic acid purification products and genomic services for life science research. Agencourt Genomic Services is the world’s leading commercial sequencing facility, offering both Sanger and Next Generation capabilities.
Beckman Coulter, Inc., based in Orange County, California, develops, manufactures and markets products that simplify, automate and innovate complex biomedical tests. More than 200,000 Beckman Coulter systems operate in laboratories around the world, supplying critical information for improving patient health and reducing the cost of care. Recurring revenue, consisting of supplies, test kits, service and operating-type lease payments, represents approximately 78 percent of the company’s 2007 annual revenue of $2.76 billion. For more information, visit www.beckmancoulter.com.
