Norwich, United Kingdom
July 14, 2014
The Genome Analysis Centre (TGAC) is one of the first research Institutes in the UK to use the pioneering genome mapping Irys System technology by BioNano Genomics, adding to our existing state-of-the-art Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) suite at TGAC.
The Irys System will be initially used to improve the genome assembly of the British Ash tree sample from the Earth Trust, as part of our collaboration with Queen Mary University of London (UK) for research into the species’ disease. It will also be used for TGAC’s bread wheat genome sequencing project to improve the DNA make-up of this important crop. The work on the wheat genome will help to accelerate breeding, with a direct impact on increasing the crop and its yields, contributing to global food security.
Launched in 2013, the Irys System technology has been used to generate genome maps for 85 different organisms, mapping the critical structural variation of crops, vertebrates and human cancer genomes. These high-resolution genome maps are essential for the correct assembly of DNA sequences, the completion of large genomes and the understanding of genomic variation.
The new mapping technologymakes inaccessible genomes accessible, where long ‘reads’ of DNA molecules can be uncoiled and confined for single-molecule imaging throughout the strain’s repetitive regions. The Irys System preserves the sample’s valuable information and allows researchers to directly observe the genome’s structural variants.
Matt Clark, Plant and Microbial Genomics Group Leader at TGAC, said: “Genome mapping is a powerful weapon in our arsenal to turn short DNA sequences into true depictions of whole chromosome pieces of DNA as they actually exists in nature. Assemblies of this quality are more useful to researchers and breeders, and ultimately the public.”
Mario Caccamo, Director of TGAC, said: “We are very excited about the application of the Irys System to our flagship projects at TGAC. Genome mapping, using the BioNano technology, will complement our high-throughput sequencing platform and place TGAC in a great position to tackle very complex genomes such as those of some of the vital global crops. ”
Fahim Amini, Vice President of Commercial Operations, EMEA at BioNano Genomics, added: “We are delighted to partner with TGAC given their experience and expertise in unravelling complex genomes. We believe that with BioNano’s Irys System and TGAC’s expertise we will be able to complete many unfinished genomes and assess the role of structural variations in the biology of many organisms of global significance.”
About TGAC
The Genome Analysis Centre (TGAC) is a research institute focused on the development of genomics and computational biology. TGAC is based within the Norwich Research Park and receives strategic funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Science Research Council (BBSRC) - £9.2M in 2012-2013 - as well as support from other research funders. TGAC is one of eight institutes that receive strategic funding from BBSRC.
TGAC offers state of the art DNA sequencing facility, unique by its operation of multiple complementary technologies for data generation. The Institute is a UK hub for innovative Bioinformatics through research, analysis and interpretation of multiple, complex data sets. It hosts one of the largest computing hardware facilities dedicated to life science research in Europe. It is also actively involved in developing novel platforms to provide access to computational tools and processing capacity for multiple academic and industrial users and promoting applications of computational Bioscience. Additionally, the Institute offers a Training programme through courses and workshops, and an Outreach programme targeting schools, teachers and the general public through dialogue and science communication activities. www.tgac.ac.uk
About BioNano Genomics
Headquartered in San Diego, BioNano Genomic is delivering an altogether better way of gaining a fully informed understanding of genomes. The Company’s platform provides researchers and clinicians the most comprehensive, organized and actionable picture of a genome with unprecedented insights into how the individual components of genomes are ordered, arranged, and interact with each other.
BioNano Genomics works with institutions in life science, translational research, molecular diagnostics and personalized medicine. The Company is supported by private investors and grant funding from genomics programs at federal agencies, including the NIH and NIST-ATP. www.BioNanoGenomics.com
The Irys system:
Is attractive for a broad range of genomic studies for which DNA sequencing is not suitable due to short sequence reads.
Provides more data in shorter time, and for lower cost, compared to sequencing (including the analysis of structural variation).
Despite the huge progress in the next generation sequencing technologies, de novo sequencing in plants with large, repeat-rich, and polyploid genomes remains a challenge. This is mainly due to the length of sequence reads, which are not long enough to deal with the enormous sequence redundancy. Irys excels in throughput and the ability to analyse extremely long molecules of DNA.
It fills an important gap that until recently hampered our ability to tackle the complexity of plant genomes and analyse their variation.
It adds to TGACs collection of leading edge sequencing platforms.
Key points above sourced from: http://www.bionanogenomics.com/bionano-community/complete-your-story/jaroslav-dolezel/
About Queen Mary University of London
Queen Mary University of London is the "biggest star" (Times Higher Education) among the UK's leading research-intensive higher education institutions, with five campuses in the capital: Mile End, Whitechapel, Charterhouse Square, West Smithfield and Lincoln's Inn Fields.
A member of the Russell Group, QMUL is also one of the largest of the colleges of the University of London, with 17,800 students - 20 per cent of whom are from more than 150 countries.
Some 4,000 staff deliver world-class degrees and research across 21 departments, within three Faculties: Science and Engineering; Humanities and Social Sciences; and the School of Medicine and Dentistry.
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