PromethION 24 Sequencing Unit PRO-SEQ024 and Consumables

Our decision to source Oxford Nanopore Technologies for these sequencing platforms is founded on several irrefutable factors. Oxford Nanopore Technologies not only manufactures the instruments but also produces the necessary consumables, establishing them as the sole comprehensive source for our requirements. Moreover, the proprietary nature of their technology is affirmed by a series of patents, including WO2010/086622, WO2012/164270, WO2013/014451, WO2014/013260, WO2013/041878, WO2010/000789, US5795782A1, US6015714A1, US6362002B1, US7189503B2, EP0815438B1, EP1238275B1, and US8673556B2. We already have these sequencers in the laboratory and cannot purchase the required consumables for the equipment from any other provider. Oxford Nanopore are the sole providers of consumables and reagents for their sequencers.

This unique position of Oxford Nanopore Technologies as both manufacturer and patent holder translates into our sole reliance on them to provide not only the hardware and software components but also the indispensable consumables essential for the operation of these sequencing platforms. Their proprietary knowledge and technical expertise extend to servicing the equipment and offering invaluable guidance on resolving technical challenges, making them the unrivalled choice for our genomics service. No other company possesses the capability to furnish us with the complete suite of resources and support necessary to uphold the exceptional standards of research and innovation we strive to maintain at Genomics Birmingham.

Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) holds a unique position in the genomics and sequencing industry for several reasons, which sets them apart from other companies and makes them the preferred choice for Genomics Birmingham:

Proprietary Technology: ONT's sequencing technology is proprietary and patented, as indicated by the list of patents provided. This means that they have exclusive rights to this innovative technology, giving them a competitive advantage. Other companies may use different sequencing technologies that may not offer the same advantages or capabilities.

Unique properties of Oxford Nanopore sequencing technologies are as follows:

• Benchtop instrument that can sequence native DNA from fragment sizes of 20bp to millions of bases for up to 24 independent samples gaining coverage of >30X per sample.
• Sequencing of native DNA and native RNA to give output files of modified BAMs and FASTQ files for 5mC and 5hmC methylation and canonical bases. This is performed in one sequencing run simultaneously with no need for additional manipulation of the DNA or RNA.
• Real-time sequencing, with real-time basecalling & alignment enabling
• Sequencing until a defined coverage is met and/or the ability to fix a run time for your sequencing requirements without the need for a default run time.
• Adaptive sampling (enrichment or depletion of known regions without any need for PCR or chemical pull down) this is also capable dynamically allowing targets where read depth is already met to stop sequencing so other targets can be covered.
• The same libraries can be run on all Oxford Nanopore instruments, for example, to perform library QC or generate additional data
• Possibility to perform a sequencing run, recover the library from the flow cell, and re-sequence to boost yield. Also the ability to wash and re-load the same flow cell enabling flexibility and maximum usage.

These properties are unique to Oxford Nanopore and not available from other providers.

Data Output: ONT's sequencing platforms, such as the PromethION, MinION, and GridION, are known for their ability to produce unique and extensive data outputs that can be critical for various research applications. The data quality and quantity achieved through ONT's technology may not be matched by alternatives.

The duplex chemistry provides around Q30 (99.9%) accuracy with the detection of modified bases at no extra cost or manipulation. Fragments of any size from 20bp upwards can be analysed in the same sequencing run, in real time. Adaptive sampling provides enrichment or depletion without the need for any other manipulation of the DNA or RNA. The P24 can run 24 flow cells independently of each other allowing for maximum flexibility.