Ultra High-Throughput Sequencing for Norwich Research Park and the UK National Capability in Genomics

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The ability to rapidly and cheaply sequence the genomes of living organisms has revolutionised biological and biomedical research. In the last 10 years the technology to enable this type of research as improved massively, as has our ability to understand the data. Genome sequencing has changed from an activity that required a bespoke factory scale facility to something that requires a single instrument which can be run in university labs across the UK and now even in hand-held devices. However, as the process has become quicker and cheaper, we can now design much larger and more powerful studies and there is still a need for bespoke facilities that can handle the larger study designs that are now possible. Here we propose to purchase the most recent iteration of short-read sequencing technology, The NovaSeq 6000 and install it at the Earlham Institute, which hosts the BBSRC National Capability in Genomics and Single Cell Analysis. This instrument will enable much more rapid and much cheaper sequencing than was previously possible at EI. The EI is an ideal environment for this instrument as it has access to automation for upstream sample prep. It has a highly trained workforce with a well-established training program and career progression for service delivery staff. EI also has very good IT infrastructure and a team of Bioinformaticians supporting the sequencing lab. Over a six month period the EI plan to install the platform, benchmark it and make it accessible to the UK bioscience community.