MGI sequencing platforms: High-throughput gene sequencers, DNBSEQ™ sequencing technology | MGI Product-MGI Tech website-Leading Life Science Innovation

INTRODUCTION TO MGI SEQUENCING TECHNOLOGY

MGI's DNA sequencing instruments utilize the state-of-the-art core technology called DNBSEQ^TM. DNBs (DNA nanoballs) are pumped with by the fluidics system and loaded onto a Patterned Array chip. Sequencing primer is then added and hybridized to the adaptor region of the DNB. The sequencing reaction starts by pumping sequencing reagents containing fluorescently labeled dNTP probes and DNA polymerase. Images are taken after the fluorescently labeled probes on the DNB are excited with lasers. The images are then converted into a digital signal using MGI's propriety software. This information is then used to determine the DNA sequence of the sample.

All sequencing technologies relating to DNBs are part of DNBSEQ^TM. It includes: DNA single strand circularization and DNB preparation technology, Patterned Arrays, DNB loading, cPAS (combinatorial Probe Anchor Synthesis), Pair-End Sequencing technology on DNBs, fluidics and imaging systems, base calling algorithms, etc. cPAS technology has been widely used on various sequencing platforms including BGISEQ-50, BGISEQ-500, DNBSEQ-G50, DNBSEQ-G400, DNBSEQ-T7, etc.

Compared to other existing sequencing platforms, DNBSEQ^TM sequencing technology combines the advantages from low amplification error rates from DNBs and high density patterned arrays. These advantages dramatically improve sequencing accuracy, and have much lower duplication rates in WGS/WES applications. When combined with the PCR-free library construction method, DNBSEQ^TM also has higher SNP and indel detection accuracy compared to other platforms. In addition, the index hopping rate in DNBSEQ^TM platforms is much lower as compared to that of other platforms.

DNB Preparation Technology
Patterned Array and DNB Loading
cPAS
Pair-End Sequencing Technology
Basecall

Preparation Technology

DNB Preparation technology includes Single strand DNA circularization and DNB making.

Single Strand DNA Circularization

Single strand DNA circularization: double stranded DNA with adapter sequences at the terminal ends is heated to denature and generate ssDNA (single stranded DNA). A splint oligonucleotide with a complementary sequence to both the 5’ and 3’ terminal ends of one strand of the target dsDNA will hybridize to both the 5’ and 3’ terminal ends of the same target ssDNA to form a nicked circle (Figure 1). The nick is then repaired using DNA ligase to form a single stranded circle.

DNB Making

DNA nanoballs are generated by rolling circle amplification (RCA) using the single stranded circle as a template. Various sizes of DNA fragments were amplified to roughly 100 to 1000 copies (Figure 2). DNB concentration can easily be quantified with Qubit measurements before loading onto the sequencing chip. No expensive quantification instrument or reagents are required.The primary benefit of RCA is the reduction in error introduced during amplification. RCA utilizes a very high-fidelity DNA polymerase, and each amplification uses the original copy of the DNA circle as the template. This makes it almost impossible to have amplification errors in the same position for all 100-1000 copies of a DNB. In addition, RCA technology avoids the exponential accumulation of errors, GC biases and dropouts observed with other amplification methods, such as PCR. All results in greatly improved sequencing accuracy with the DNBSEQ platform.

Patterned Array

Using a state-of- art semiconductor manufacturing process, a patterned binding site is created on the surface of a silicon chip. The distance between active spots on the chip surface is uniform and each binding site is only large enough to bind one single DNB. This ensures there is no interference between the fluorescence signals from neighboring DNBs. This results in high sequencing accuracy, high chip utilization, as well as optimal reagent usage.

DNB Loading

DNBs carry a negative charge in acidic conditions due to its phosphate backbone while the slide surface carries a positive charge. This positive and negative interaction is the main driving force behind DNBs loading onto the slide surface. The proprietary loading buffers can further ensure DNBs sticking on the same spot for hundreds of cycles without any compromised signals.
DNBs are optimized so they are the same size as the active sites on the slide surface. This ensures that only a single DNB is loaded onto each active site, which improves effective spot yield.

cPAS

cPAS Technology: After sequencing primers are hybridized to the adapter region of the DNB, a fluorescently labeled dNTP probe is incorporated with a DNA polymerase (Figure 4). Any unbound dNTP probes are then washed away, DNB Flow Cell is imaged (Figure 4: Imaging), fluorescence signal is converted to digital signal, and the base information is determined using MGI's proprietary base-calling software. After the image is taken, regeneration reagent is added to remove the fluorescent dye and prepares the DNBs for the next cycle

The sequencing reaction time has been reduced to less than one minute due to significant improvements in sequencing biochemistry, as well as the identification of a superior sequencing polymerase screened from tens of thousands of mutants.

2nd strand Preparation

After finishing the 1st strand sequencing, the 2nd strand generation primers and a polymerase with strand displacement activity are added to initiate 2nd strand synthesis. The polymerase will extend the new primer until it reaches the original sequenced strand, at which point it will displace the original sequencing strand to form a new single stranded template. The newly generated 2nd strand is optimized to maximize the length of the strand while ensuring the strand remains attached to the original DNB. After the 2nd strand sequencing primer is hybridized, the same sequencing chemistry is used for 2nd strand sequencing as was used for 1st strand sequencing (Figure 5). The new 2nd strand template has many more copies of insert DNA which yields much stronger signal and increased sequencing accuracy for the 2nd strand.

Base Calling Algorithm

Base calls and base call quality is calculated based on the signal intensities from all channels. The relationship between signal characterization and sequencing error is well established based on known data models. Predicted sequencing errors for unknown samples are calculated based on signal characterization. Quality scores are based on phred-33 standard.

MGI has developed a propriety Sub-pixel Registration algorithm, which enables image intensity extraction at the sub-pixel level, and greatly improves base call accuracy.

Our industry-leading technology has dramatically increased data processing speed and accuracy through integration of a GPU accelerated algorithm, optimization of execution efficiency, and real time image analysis and base calling.

Technologies