Brisbane, Australia, 16 February 2023 – GNOMIX is an Australian specialty molecular genetics laboratory and consultation service. Empowered by MGI’s DNBSEQ™ platform, GNOMIX has provided high-quality, customised genetic services for national and international customers since 2020, including laboratory testing, clinical trials, research projects, independent testing for commercialisation, food and agri-genomics, and consultancy to allied industries.
Currently, the clinical genomics landscape in Australia is dominated by a few major players primarily driven by profit, offering a limited range of mainstream services. This restricts access to technology and resources for small and medium-sized customers and contributes to slower technological development. GNOMIX’s mission is to fill this gap and provide solutions tailored to a wider range of customers with specific sequencing needs, budgets, and timelines.
The GNOMIX laboratory, located in Adelaide, South Australia, is accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) to ISO/IEC 17025 standards for laboratory testing. The lab is equipped with a DNBSEQ-G50 Genetic Sequencer* and a MGISP-100 Automated Sample Preparation System. Since its inception, GNOMIX has supported numerous innovative projects domestically and internationally, including clinical trials, primary research, high-impact publications, and large commercial projects. The lab is rapidly expanding in both capacity and capability.
“GNOMIX is not aiming to compete with major pathology laboratories,” said Chief Scientist Dr Scott Grist. “We focus on a niche by providing tailored and responsive services to our clients’ needs. The DNBSEQ-G50*, together with the MGISP-100 liquid handling system, offers an ideal starting scale for a start-up and provides capacity for future expansion.”
The DNBSEQ-G50* is a compact and flexible benchtop genetic sequencer. Its design offers two different Flow Cell sizes, providing flexibility and a balance between speed and affordability. The Flow Cell Small (FCS) mode enables rapid turnaround times, while Flow Cell Large (FCL) mode reduces the cost per sample. With flexible read length options for both modes, the DNBSEQ-G50 supports a wide range of research and clinical applications, including low-pass whole genome sequencing, targeted sequencing, small whole genome sequencing, RNA sequencing, whole exome sequencing, and more.
The MGISP-100 Sample Preparation System complements the DNBSEQ-G50 for small and agile sequencing needs. This automated workstation specialises in high-throughput library preparation. With integrated 8-channel pipettes, the MGISP-100 processes samples in batches, reduces repetitive manual tasks, improves library preparation consistency, and lowers operational costs, significantly enhancing laboratory efficiency.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, GNOMIX expanded its client base and established a strong presence in the national sequencing arena while reaching international markets. “The DNBSEQ-G50* is ideal for small-scale experiments at the start-up stage,” Dr Grist said. “As we grow, we are also considering acquiring a DNBSEQ-G400 instrument*.”
Powered by MGI’s proprietary DNBSEQ™ technology, MGI provides a suite of genetic sequencers ranging from small and medium to high and ultra-high throughput, including DNBSEQ-G50*, DNBSEQ-G99*, DNBSEQ-G400*, DNBSEQ-T7*, DNBSEQ-T20×2RS* and more.
Australia is a recognised global and regional hub for biomedical innovation and medical genetics. Sharing MGI’s vision of enabling people to live healthier lives, GNOMIX is committed to advancing precision health both in Australia and internationally. However, many innovative biomedical research organisations and biotech companies still lack access to the resources or capabilities to support their R&D.
“The industry needs to move away from the tendency toward large facilities,” Dr Grist said. “Large facilities have evolved for economic reasons but often fail to provide timely services. We need to democratise genomics services, making them more broadly accessible and widely available.”
About GNOMIX
GNOMIX Pty Ltd, based in Adelaide, South Australia, is a privately owned laboratory providing molecular genetic services to local, national, and international scientific communities. GNOMIX leverages advanced technology and extensive experience to deliver high-quality molecular laboratory and consultancy services tailored to each customer’s needs. The laboratory maintains the highest quality standards and is accredited to ISO/IEC 17025. For more information, visit the GNOMIX website or connect on Twitter or LinkedIn.
GNOMIX Media Contact: Scott Grist, GNOMIX Pty Ltd, admin@gnomix.com.au
*Unless otherwise informed, StandardMPS and CoolMPS sequencing reagents, and sequencers for use with such reagents, are not available in Germany, Spain, UK, Sweden, Belgium, Italy, Finland, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Portugal, Austria, and Romania. Unless otherwise informed, StandardMPS sequencing reagents and compatible sequencers are not available in Hong Kong.
