Singapore, 15 September 2023 – MGI Tech Singapore Pte. Ltd. (“MGI”), a company committed to building core tools and technology to lead life sciences, has recently entered a research partnership with the National Cancer Centre Singapore (“NCCS”) to facilitate comprehensive, multi-dimensional genomic profiling of cancers prevalent in Asian populations using MGI’s core DNBSEQ™ technology. The collaboration is one of many examples of MGI’s efforts to empower personalised medicine and precision oncology through its innovative genetic platforms.
“We are excited to work with NCCS to uncover the unique molecular genomic characteristics of cancers prevalent in Asia by providing our DNBSEQ-G400 sequencer,” said Dr Roy Tan, General Manager of MGI Asia Pacific. “The implications of this partnership are significant. To date, precision oncology has developed unevenly outside the United States and Western Europe, and the genomic datasets underpinning precision medicine remain heavily skewed towards Western populations. By improving our understanding of underrepresented cancer types across different populations, we aim to support more precise prevention, diagnosis and treatment, ultimately improving patient outcomes and quality of life within Asian communities through MGI’s life science core tools.”
Under the partnership, MGI’s DNBSEQ-G400 sequencer has been installed at NCCS’ Cancer Discovery Hub (CDH) to support RNA sequencing applications. This versatile benchtop sequencer features a dual Flow Cell system, enabling flexible support for multiple sequencing modes. With optimised optical and fluidic systems, system operation and workflow setup for whole genome sequencing can be completed in under 30 minutes. Equipped with embedded data analysis software, the DNBSEQ-G400 can complete PE150 sequencing at full capacity in 37 hours, delivering a highly efficient and streamlined end-to-end genomic sequencing workflow.
Relying on DNBSEQ technology, the somatic genomic landscape of selected cancers prevalent in Asian populations will be profiled, including head and neck, ovarian, breast, gastric, colorectal, liver, bile duct, cervical, lung, prostate and oesophageal cancers, as well as phyllodes tumours. The research will also cover Asian angiosarcomas, lymphoma, rare cancers, fibroepithelial tumours and several tumour cell lines. In addition, DNBSEQ will be incorporated into the molecular assay catalogue of the Cancer Discovery Hub (CDH) to support cancer research activities in Singapore.
“By combining CDH’s expertise in multi-omics molecular diagnostics and research with MGI’s state-of-the-art high-throughput sequencing technologies, this collaboration will shed light on the mechanisms and progression of cancers prevalent in Asian populations, while informing improved approaches to prevention, diagnosis and treatment,” said Dr Jason Chan, Director of the NCCS Cancer Discovery Hub. “Looking ahead, we will continue working with MGI and leveraging their advanced technologies to further our research into cancer therapeutics.”
Earlier this year, NCCS published a research article in Nature examining the topological immune landscapes of Asian head and neck angiosarcoma using MGI’s DNBSEQ technology. In this study, researchers successfully performed whole genome sequencing on FFPE samples, with all 50 libraries sequenced using 100 bp paired-end reads on MGI’s ultra-fast and highly accurate DNBSEQ-T7 sequencer. The study characterised the genomic, transcriptomic and immune landscapes of angiosarcomas from an Asian population, providing insights that may support the development of more precise therapeutic strategies in future research.
Beyond this partnership, NCCS also plans to participate in the DCS Lab Initiative, MGI’s programme designed to support large-scale, leading multi-omics laboratories through access to MGI technologies. Under the initiative, MGI will provide DNA sequencing, single-cell omics and spatial omics solutions, collectively referred to as DCS lab products, powered by DNBSEQ technology. These capabilities are expected to support a wide range of oncology research applications at NCCS, contributing to advances in cancer prevention, diagnostics and treatment research.
With a low duplication rate and high data utilisation, MGI’s DNBSEQ technology has demonstrated strong performance in high-depth sequencing and in the analysis of low-input or highly complex oncology samples, including peripheral blood and circulating tumour DNA. DNBSEQ-based platforms have supported clinical research and translational studies by enabling accurate genomic analysis, helping inform precision cancer medicine approaches based on tumour-specific genetic profiles. Its cost-effectiveness is also expected to lower barriers to broader adoption of precision oncology in research and clinical research settings.
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