Advancements in genomics have revolutionized our understanding of life at the molecular level. Among the breakthroughs, long read sequencing and high fidelity (HiFi) long read sequencing stand out as powerful tools, enabling researchers to delve deeper into the complexities of genomes. In this article, we will explore what long read sequencing and HiFi long read sequencing entail and discuss the advantages of outsourcing the latter to specialized service providers.
Table of Contents
What is Long Read Sequencing?
Long read sequencing refers to a DNA sequencing technique that generates significantly longer DNA reads compared to traditional short read sequencing methods. The ability to read longer stretches of DNA has numerous benefits, including:
Unraveling Complex Genomic Regions
Long read sequencing is particularly advantageous in deciphering complex genomic regions, such as repetitive sequences or structural variations, where short read sequencing often falls short.
Facilitating De Novo Assembly
The reconstruction of a genome without a reference sequence is greatly improved with long read sequencing. This is especially valuable when studying non-model organisms or those with complex genomes.
Enhancing Transcriptome Analysis
Long read sequencing aids in the accurate identification of alternative splicing events and provides a more comprehensive view of the transcriptome, shedding light on the diversity of RNA isoforms.
What is HiFi Long Read Sequencing:
High Fidelity (HiFi) long read sequencing takes long read sequencing a step further by minimizing errors in the sequencing process. It achieves this by reducing the error rates associated with DNA sequencing, ensuring greater accuracy in the resulting genomic data. PacBio’s Revio is one example of a platform that performs HiFi long read sequencing offering high throughput, and ease of use to a foundation of long reads, exceptional accuracy, and direct methylation detection. The key benefits of HiFi long read sequencing include:
Precision in Variant Calling
HiFi long read sequencing is crucial for accurate identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and other genetic variations. This precision is especially valuable in clinical genomics and personalized medicine.
Improving Genome Annotation
Higher sequencing accuracy enhances the reliability of genome annotations, ensuring that researchers can confidently interpret and annotate genes, regulatory elements, and other genomic features.
Enabling Rare Variant Detection
The improved accuracy of HiFi long read sequencing allows for the detection of rare genetic variants that may have clinical implications, providing valuable insights into the genetic basis of diseases.
Advantages of Outsourcing High Fidelity Long Read Sequencing
Outsourcing HiFi long read sequencing to specialized service providers offers several advantages for researchers:
Expertise and Experience
Service providers such as Sampled have a team of experts with extensive experience in HiFi long read sequencing, ensuring reliable and high-quality results. Our expertise is at your disposal allowing you to save time and resources on optimization and training staff internally to setup long read sequencing projects.
Access to cutting edge platforms
Outsourcing allows researchers to access cutting-edge sequencing technologies and equipment without the need for significant capital investment, ensuring the use of the latest advancements in the field. Sampled are Certified Service Providers for PacBio and Illumina which allows us to provide high quality HiFi long read sequencing services to our clients since we work with and are trained by the manufacturers of these sequencing platforms.
Cost-Efficiency
By outsourcing, researchers can avoid the costs associated with purchasing and maintaining expensive sequencing equipment. This not only allows researchers to allocate resources more efficiently, focusing on data analysis and interpretation but also shifts capital expenditure to operational expenditure.
Scalability
At Sampled, we can scale to meet your needs based on the research project/s you are running, accommodating for variations in sample sizes and throughput requirements. This lets you focus on the research that matters most instead of shifting deadlines to accommodate the changing of samples that need to be sequenced. Including options for short read sequencing with platforms like the Illumina Novaseq X Series.
HiFi long read sequencing is transforming genomic research, enabling scientists to explore the intricacies of the genome with unprecedented accuracy. As outlined above, outsourcing HiFi long read sequencing to Sampled offers researchers a strategic and cost-effective approach to harnessing this powerful technique, allowing you to focus on the scientific discoveries that will shape the future of genomics.
Contact our team today to learn how we can support your research with our HiFi Long Read Sequencing capabilities.
