Whole Genome Sequencing

Beckman Coulter Genomics has generated whole genome sequence for a diverse variety of organisms with an equally wide range of associated genome sizes. Beckman Coulter Genomics years of extensive experience with Sanger genome sequencing, high-throughput genomics and large-scale sequencing projects enabled a strong transition of many whole genome sequencing projects to Next Generation technologies.

Factors considered for the best experimental design for a whole genome sequencing project include the size of the target genome, the anticipated complexity of the genome, the desired level of finishing, or completeness, and whether the genome requires de novo assembly or can be mapped against a published reference sequence.

De novo Genome Sequencing

Genomes requiring de novo sequencing and assembly are very effectively tackled with the long read lengths of 454 Life Sciences* GS FLX Titanium sequencing platform.

Genome Re-sequencing

While any sequencing technology can be applied to a genome re-sequencing project the ultra-high throughput of the AB SOLiD* and Illumina* GAIIx Next Generation sequencing platforms make them particularly powerful tools for re-sequencing large genomes with a reference sequence available for mapping.

Large or Complex Genomes

Beckman Coulter Genomics experts have shown that supplementing Next Generation genome sequencing with 1x coverage of Sanger fosmid sequencing leads to significantly improved assemblies.

Genome Finishing

Proven Sanger sequencing strategies remain imperative to achieving a publication quality or finished genome sequence. Custom primer walking and directed paired end Sanger sequencing maximize the resolution of repeat sequences, the level of contig ordering and the success of gap closure in a genome sequence.

Results

Genome mapping or assembly is overseen by Beckman Coulter Genomics bioinformatics professionals. Results are delivered via a secure FTP site or are shipped on a portable hard drive depending upon the size of the dataset. Analyses of Next Generation sequencing data are typically performed with proprietary tools provided by the vendor of the respective technology. Resulting file types, data formats and associated read quality metrics may be platform specific.