Illumina’s New Desktop Sequencing Series Is Fast, Cheap, Simple
By Bio-IT World Staff
October 17, 2024 | Illumina unveiled its MiSeq i100 Series of sequencing systems last week during an online customer event, comprising two new benchtop instruments: MiSeq i100 and MiSeq i100 Plus Systems. The MiSeq i100 will be available to ship globally in 2025.
The company says the new sequencing systems offer an affordable, comprehensive solution that is simple to understand and use, even for those with limited NGS expertise.
"Our customers told us they need a faster, smaller, and easy-to-use instrument, and that's what we're delivering with the MiSeq i100," said Jacob Thaysen, PhD, CEO of Illumina, in a press release. He called the i100 series, “the plug-and-play flexibility that today's labs are seeking."
The MiSeq i100 Series builds on the legacy of the original 2011 benchtop MiSeq System, but has been redesigned to incorporate the technology and chemistry of the NovaSeq X Series.
Key Technology Enhancements
The MiSeq i100 Series uses Illumina's XLEAP-SBS chemistry and eliminates the cold chain, instead using reagents that support room-temperature storage and shipping. An 85% reduction in packaging waste compared to the MiSeq System also supports a lower carbon footprint.
The series currently includes two configurations: the MiSeq i100 Plus System has the full 100 million single-end reads per run, and the MiSeq i100 System has a maximum of 25 million single-end reads per run. Both configurations boast dramatic reduction in run times: as fast as four hours, with same-day results. The MiSeq platform has a run time as low as 5 hours; NextSeq systems can be as fast as 8 hours.
The series also includes 18 end-to-end workflows across 10 applications including small whole-genome sequencing for microbiology and targeted NGS panels for both infectious disease and oncology. Workflows provide metrics either directly on the instrument or via cloud-based DRAGEN genomic data analysis, minimizing the need for bioinformatics expertise.
"The MiSeq i100 symbolizes Illumina's commitment to delivering total systems with complete workflows that allow our customers to accomplish more," said Steve Barnard, PhD, chief technology officer of Illumina in the announcement. "With its enhanced speed, simplicity, scalability, and quality–and its intuitive user experience–the MiSeq i100 sets a new standard for benchtop sequencing."