Element AVITI24 Sequencing Platform

The IIHG Genomics Division currently operates the Element Biosciences AVITI 24 genome sequencing platform that enables high quality, fast-turnaround, short-read sequencing at a low cost.   The Element AVITI24 is a two-flow cell instrument capable of accommodating a variety of run formats which deliver varying sequencing yields, depending on the need of the project (see table below).  The ability to run two flow cells concurrently also ensures that priorities for both clinical and research samples are maintained.

The AVITI24 is mid-size sequencer that enables the Genomic Division Laboratory to run individual projects more quickly because we are not waiting for other projects to fill a high-volume flow cell. In contrast to the traditional sequencing-by-synthesis (SBS) chemistry used by Illumina, the AVITI24 uses an avidite binding chemistry (ABC) that involves the binding of a multivalent fluorescent polymerase substrate by avidity. The use of these multivalent avidites permits an increase in specificity and reduced fluorescent chemistry costs by an order of magnitude. Also, the DNA synthesis steps are carried out with unlabeled nucleotides which reduces artifacts.

AVITI24 data will not contain artifacts introduced by the exclusion amplification seen on patterned Illumina flow cells.  As a result, there is no index hopping and no read duplication during clustering.  The AVITI data will have higher quality scores (most bases will have a Phred scale Q-score of >40 which is less than one error in 10,000 bases).

Please visit the Library Prep & Genome Sequencing Fees page for pricing. 

Considerations for preparing libraries to be submitted for sequencing:

1. While the Element sequencing chemistry is different from the Illumina sequencing chemistry, the Element Sequencer is compatible with standard Illumina libraries and files that utilize the TruSeq and Nextera style adaptors.
2. smRNA-Seq libraries will require custom adaptors.  Please discuss any projects that require custom adaptors with us before you start your project
3. Avoid submitting libraries with very short inserts.  These are defined as library inserts shorter than the read-lengths of forward or reverse reads. Conversely, the AVITI tolerates longer insert sequencing libraries than the Illumina sequence (i.e., less impact short-insert bias)
4. Use a proofreading (high-fidelity) polymerase for your library amplifications (e.g. Kapa HiFi, NEB Q5, Qiagen VeraSeq etc.). Libraries will be circularized and A-overhangs created by Taq polymerase interfere with this step

Publications describing the technology and its application:

• Arslan et al. 2022: Sequencing by avidity enables high accuracy with low reagent consumption
• Biswas et al. 2022: Avidity sequencing of whole genomes from retinal degeneration pedigrees identifies causal variants
  
  Find out more about the AVITI sequencer at: https://www.elementbiosciences.com/products/aviti

Illumina NovaSeq6000 Sequencing System

The IIHG Genomics Division currently operates the Illumina NovaSeq 6000 sequencing platform. The NovaSeq 6000 is a two flow cell instrument that  is capable of accommodating a variety of run formats which deliver varying sequencing yields, depending on the need of the project (see table below). The ability to run two flow cells concurrently also ensures that priorities for both clinical and research samples are maintained.

As noted in the table below, there are 4 different flow cell options: SP, S1, S2, and S4.  Each flow cell has two lanes, except for the S4 which has four lanes.  Each flow cell type gives a different number of reads per lane and the resulting yield depends on the run format (read length).  Samples are barcoded (indexed) during library preparation to permit the ability to load multiple samples per lane. Please contact the Genomics Division if you have questions about the depth of coverage needed for your project, the most suitable flow cell and run format for your project and how many samples you could combine per lane.  

• Learn more about the Illumina NovaSeq 6000 System

Illumina MiSeq Sequencing System

​The Illumina MiSeq is a “benchtop” sequencer that uses a single lane flow cell capable of yielding one million to 25 million reads per run depending on flow cell type and run format.  The run time ranges from a few hours to three days.  This instrument is recommended for projects that require fast turn-around time but do not require a great number of reads.

• Learn more about the Illumina MiSeq System

Contact Information

116 EMRB
Phone: (319) 335-6736  
dna-genomeseq@uiowa.edu

For information about downstream bioinformatics support, contact the IIHG Bioinformatics Division at (319) 335-6717.