September 9, 2019 — Shenzhen-based MGI Tech Co., Ltd. (MGI) has officially delivered its ultra-high-throughput sequencer, DNBSEQ-T7, to business partners. The first units have arrived at partner labs, including WeGene, where all performance indicators have been reported as excellent.
Breakthrough Sequencing Performance
DNBSEQ-T7 is the highest throughput sequencer to date, achieving multiple technological breakthroughs: it is the first 4-chip sequencing platform capable of completing PE150 at full load within 24 hours, generating up to 6Tb of data per day, and sequencing up to 60 whole human genomes daily. Its commercial delivery will help MGI overcome previous technical limitations, improve cost efficiency, and strengthen its role as a global leader in the genetic industry.
This year marks 20 years since China joined the Human Genome Project. Mapping the first human genome took six countries 13 years and nearly $3 billion. Today, whole genome sequencing costs less than $1,000, and DNBSEQ-T7 is expected to reduce the cost of personal whole-genome sequencing to below $500.
Renaming to Highlight Core Technology
With its commercial launch, the sequencer has been renamed DNBSEQ-T7, reflecting MGI’s proprietary DNBSEQ™ technology. Starting with T7, all MGI sequencer prefixes will switch from “MGISEQ” to “DNBSEQ”, alongside corresponding sequencing reagents.
Customer Perspective: WeGene
WeGene is among the first recipients of the DNBSEQ-T7. Dr Gao Qiang commented, “MGI’s sequencers have achieved world-class performance and are gradually leading industry technology standards. With advanced equipment and MGI’s years of genomics expertise, researchers will receive accurate, fast, and professional sequencing services.”
Dr Chen Gang, founder and CEO of WeGene, added, “The DNBSEQ-T7 will serve as the core platform for our genomic data infrastructure, supporting personal genome and population genomics research, major disease prevention, and the development of therapeutic solutions. Its ultra-high throughput and automation capabilities are essential to our mission.”
Driving the Industry Forward
Sequencers are foundational to genomics research, supporting mid-stream and downstream sequencing services. Companies like MGI have disrupted upstream market monopolies, offering more options for customers and demonstrating China’s technological strength. Jiang Hui, MGI’s COO, noted, “Genomic sequencing costs are falling faster than Moore’s law predictions. T7 demonstrates our deep technological innovation and supports users with high-quality, cost-effective sequencing to accelerate human genome progress and reshape the industry.”
Technology and Efficiency Upgrades
Debuting at the 13th International Conference on Genomics (ICG-13) in 2018, DNBSEQ-T7 upgrades chip, fluidics, biochemical, and optical systems to maximise efficiency. Whether using a single chip or four chips independently, PE150 sequencing completes in under 24 hours. A 20% increase in chip density allows Tb-level output per chip, delivering up to 6Tb per day for customers.
Applications and Data Quality
DNBSEQ-T7 supports genome-wide sequencing, ultra-high-depth whole exome sequencing, epigenomics, and large-scale tumor gene detection. Early sequencing data using the MGIEasy PCR-free DNA library prep kit and DNBSEQ-T7RS reagents show coverage above 95% at 20X, with SNP accuracy and sensitivity over 99% and Indel accuracy and sensitivity above 98%.
Automation and Continuous Throughput
Compared with previous products, DNBSEQ-T7 features higher automation: automatic slide cleaning, automatic recovery, and continuous operation. MGIDL-T7 devices can load 1–2 chips in two hours. MGI also provides comprehensive pre- and post-sequencing packages, including nucleic acid extraction, library preparation, and accelerated offline data analysis, ensuring uninterrupted high-throughput sequencing.
Conclusion
The delivery of DNBSEQ-T7 marks a milestone for MGI and the global genomics industry. It reflects MGI’s commitment to innovation, reducing sequencing costs, and enabling widespread access to high-quality genomic data, moving closer to the era of $100 whole-genome sequencing.
