Instrumentation


Instruments for sequencing

Revio (Pacific Biosciences)
  • NEW @ MP-GC Cologne: higher output, higher throughput
  • single-molecule sequencing
  • long-read high-fidelity (>=Q20) sequencing (15-20 kb)
  • many applications (e.g. de novo genome sequencing, genome finishing, base modification analysis, CG methylation, full-length cDNA sequencing, transcript isoform sequencing, …)
  • 15-fold higher throughput per week
  • 3-fold higher output per sequencing unit (SMRT cell)
  • 12-fold arrayed insert sequencing (16 S rRNA, 10x Genomics barcoded full-length cDNAs, poly-A RNAs)
Sequel IIe (Pacific Biosciences)
  • single-molecule sequencing
  • long-read high-fidelity (>=Q20) sequencing (15-20 kb)
  • many applications (e.g. de novo genome sequencing, genome finishing, base modification analysis, full length cDNA sequencing, transcript isoform sequencing, …)
NextSeq 2000 (Illumina)
  • short-read sequencing (2 × 50 to 2 × 300 bp)
  • up to 330 Gb per run
  • paired end sequencing
  • many applications (e.g. de novo genome sequencing, genome re-sequencing, transcriptome sequencing (RNA-Seq), ChIP sequencing, small RNA sequencing, enzymatic methylome, …)
GridION X5 (Oxford Nanopore Technologies)
  • single-molecule sequencing
  • sequencing of very long reads
  • data output: 3-10 Gb/Nanopore cell
  • sequencing of up to 5 Nanopore cells in parallel
  • many applications (e.g. de novo genome sequencing, genome finishing, metagenome sequencing, full length cDNA sequencing, …)

Instruments for single cell sequencing

BD FACSAria Fusion Cell Sorter (BD Biosciences)
  • high speed cell sorter and analyzer
  • multicolor detection (355 nm, 405 nm, 488 nm, 561 nm, 640 nm)
  • sorting into tubes and multiwell plates
Chromium Controller (10x Genomics)
  • a droplet-based system to: a) label large DNA fragments (> 50 kb) with one barcode per fragment to create linked reads (creates long distance genome information from short Illumina reads) b) label single cells from a population of cells individually to facilitate high throughput single cell sequencing
  • many applications (e.g. whole genome (de novo) sequencing, haplotype determination, improving of genome drafts, SNP phasing, …)

Instruments for detection, quantification and size selection of nucleic acids

Qubit 3 (Thermo Fisher Scientific)
  • fluorometer for DNA/RNA quantification
  • sensitivity: down to 100 pg/µl
Quantus Fluorometer (Promega)
  • dual-channel fluorometer for DNA/RNA quantification
  • sensitivity: down to 10 pg/µl
2100 Bioanalyzer (Agilent)
  • automated electrophoresis system for DNA/RNA sample quality control and quantification
  • analysis of 1-12 samples per run
TapeStation 4150 (Agilent)
  • automated electrophoresis system for DNA/RNA sample quality control and quantification
  • analysis of 1-96 samples per run
TapeStation 2200 (Agilent)
  • automated electrophoresis system for DNA/RNA sample quality control and quantification
  • analysis of 1-96 samples per run
LabChip GX (Caliper Life Sciences)
  • automated electrophoresis system for DNA/RNA sample quality control and quantification
  • analysis in 96 or 384 plate scale
  • allows PCR based genotyping
Femto Pulse System (Agilent)
  • automated pulsed field electrophoresis system for DNA/RNA sample quality control and quantification
  • extremely low detection limit – can detect DNA and RNA in fg amounts
  • scalable analysis with broad range of RNA and DNA detection methods
LabChip GX Touch HT Nucleic Acid Analyzer (PerkinElmer)
  • automated capillary electrophoresis separation system for DNA/RNA sample quality control and quantification
  • low detection limit (pg amounts)
  • broad variety of analysis options in 96- or 384-well format
CHEF-DR III (Bio-Rad)
  • pulsed field electrophoresis system
  • high resolution separation of high molecular weight DNA
BluePippin (Sage Science)
  • DNA size selection with pulsed field electrophoresis (100 bp – 50 kb)
  • handling of 1-5 samples in parallel
SageELF (Sage Science)
  • DNA sample fractionation with pulsed-field electrophoresis
  • separation into into 12 size fractions
  • allows the construction of libraries with multiple insert sizes for improved assembly

Instruments for lab automation

Biomek i7 (Beckman Coulter)
  • flexible liquid handling system (8, 96 or 384 scale)
  • 2 pipetting heads, 8 channels
  • thermocycler, shaker, cooling and heating elements integrated
  • working volume: 2-1000 µl
Sciclone G3 (Caliper LifeSciences)
  • flexible liquid handling system
  • thermocycler, shaker, cooling and heating elements integrated
  • parallel handling of 1-96 samples
  • working volume: 0.5-200 µl
Microlab STARlet (Hamilton)
  • flexible liquid handling system
  • parallel handling of 1-8 samples
  • working volume: 0.5-1000 µl
  • integration of various devices possible
Biomek FX (Beckman Coulter)
  • flexible liquid handling system
  • parallel handling of 1-96 samples
  • working volume: 0.5-200 µl
  • integration of various devices possible
Biomek NXp (Beckman Coulter)
  • flexible liquid handling system
  • parallel handling of up to 384 samples
  • working volume: 0.25-30 µl
  • integration of various devices possible
F5 Robot system (ThermoFisher Scientific)
  • robot for lab automation
  • transport of plates and consumables
  • 6-axis movement
  • connecting several instruments (thermocycler, centrifuges, carousel, fridge,…)
KingFisher Flex (ThermoFisher Scientific)
  • instrument for high-throughput extraction and purification of DNA, RNA, protein and cells
  • parallel handling of 24-96 samples

Various other instruments

QIAcuity One (QIAGEN)
  • one-plate digital PCR (dPCR) instrument
  • detection of up to 5 fluorescent dyes
  • applications: mutation detection, copy number variation (CNV), gene expression studies, gene-editing analysis, …
ViiA7 (ABI)
  • real-time PCR system
  • applications: qPCR, Standard curve, Comparative Ct, Genotyping, Presence/Absence
S2 (Covaris)
  • focused ultrasonicator
  • fragmentation of nucleic acids
Ultimaker3
  • 3D printer
  • fused deposition modeling
  • object size up to 20×20×20 cm
  • supported materials: Nylon, PLA, ABS, CPE, PVA