New Method to Generate Extended Data for Genome Assemblies Faster, Better, Cheaper

Scientists at The Genome Analysis Centre (TGAC) have developed a new library construction method for genome sequencing that can simultaneously construct long-range data with reduced DNA input, time, and cost. The TGAC team gained early access to a new piece of technology, the SageELF from Sage Scientific, to develop a more robust, global approach to the most accurate long range sequence data for any given sample.

Long range genetic data (long mate pair – LMP) is an invaluable source for plant, crop, and animal genetic research. Sequencing genomes requires breaking them into small manageable pieces and then working out how to put them back together. To do this, a combination of short range and long range sequence data is needed. Generating short range data is relatively straightforward, but long range data is more problematic as the quality and quantity of DNA are major factors influencing the outcome.

Darren Heavens, lead author and team leader in the Platforms & Pipelines at TGAC said, "Although producing a single high-quality size selected LMP library can be difficult, several LMP libraries are often used for larger genome sequencing projects. Our new genome analysis protocol allows concurrent construction of 12 long-range data libraries for less than twice the cost of a single library and reduces the time by 3 to 2 days."

For more information, read the news release at the TGAC website.