The ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic has posed a daunting challenge to the infectious disease monitoring system. Virus genome sequencing is a vital and rapidly developing tool in the diagnosis and the understanding of the epidemiology and virology of COVID-19. Adoption of viral genome sequencing plays a pivotal role in determining the geographical origin and whether these cases originated from the same source transmission chain. Advanced genetic sequencing technologies have undoubtedly provided a powerful tool to support COVID-19 surveillance, research, control, and prevention in the public health responses.

MGI sequencing platforms have been playing an instrumental role in identification, monitoring, and surveillance of COVID-19 variants in many provinces around the country, including Shandong, Yunnan, Guizhou, and Inner Mongolia.

MGI DNBSEQ-50 gene sequencer* enables Ruili to become Yunnan's first city in China that can perform gene sequencing.

On February 18^th, Ruili Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) welcomed the arrival of a DNBSEQ-50*, making it the first city in Yunnan that has the ability to perform gene sequencing to provide instrumental support for the control and prevention of Covid-19 variants.

"The sequencing platform is easy to operate and can obtain the sequence of virus within 20 to 24 hours, saving nearly half the time compared to the traditional process." Said a lab technician at Ruili CDC.

MGI DNBSEQ-400 gene sequencer* contributes to the rapid sequencing of Covid-19 variants in Guizhou

On January 26^th, Guizhou Province reported a positive case in Anshun city. In response, the local government authorities urgently set up an expert group to conduct rapid virus genome sequencing on MGI's DNBSEQ-400 platform* to identify the origin of the virus at the very first time, providing strong support for epidemiological investigation and virus origin tracing. The first omicron variant case was confirmed on the platform under the technical support from MGI lab technicians.

DNBSEQ-400* is comprehensive benchtop sequencer with high accuracy and low cost. Guizhou CDC has praised its efficient and flexible features and advantages in providing strong instrumental support for the rapid tracing and scientific guidance and clinical control of COVID-19 pandemic.

MGI DNBSEQ-400 High-throughput Gene Sequencing Platform*

MGI DNBSEQ-400* has supported the sequencing and tracing of Delta mutant strains in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia.

Recently, the Hohhot Center for Disease Control used MGI's high-throughput sequencers to identify and trace 33 cases of Delta strain, providing strong technical support for pandemic control and prevention in Inner Mongolia.

MGI DNBSEQ-50* has contributed to virus sequencing in Liaocheng, Shandong Province.

On January 23^rd, Liaocheng confirmed a local asymptomatic COVID-19 case. After receiving the positive sample, Liaocheng Center for Disease Control and Prevention performed the whole-genome sequencing and analysis of virus on the DNBSEQ-50 sequencing platform*. The Delta variant was identified, belonging to the branch B.1.617.2, which was highly homologous to the sequence of the novel coronavirus in Fengtai, Beijing after comparative analysis by Shandong Provincial CDC. The genome sequencing of virus variant provides important data evidence for virus analysis, monitoring, epidemiological tracking.

As one of the three companies in two countries worldwide with the ability to mass-produce clinical high-throughput sequencers, MGI has been playing an integral role in the global combat against COVID-19 by using its proprietary DNBSEQ™ sequencing technology. MGI's sequencing platforms to date have supported more than one hundred healthcare institutions in the identification, surveillance, and tracing of COVID-19 cases, including CDCs in cities across China such as Xiamen, Ruili, Haikou, Jinan, Shijiazhuang, and more.

*StandardMPS and CoolMPS sequencing reagents, and sequencers for use with such reagents, are not available in Germany, USA, Spain, UK, Hong Kong, Sweden, Belgium and Italy.