On 6 July 2021, Ruili authorities in Yunnan Province, Southwest China, announced during their fourth press conference on COVID-19 Control and Prevention that all positive samples would be sequenced to trace the virus origin.
Rapid deployment of sequencing support
In response, MGI deployed genetic sequencing equipment and an automated sample preparation system to the frontline. Four engineers travelled from Wuhan, Chengdu, and Chongqing, completing installation and debugging within 48 hours to ensure smooth operation. In collaboration with the Yunnan Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, over 158 positive samples have been sequenced on MGI platforms to date.
Advanced sequencing platforms in use
The platforms deployed include MGI’s proprietary DNBSEQ-G400* and DNBSEQ-G50* genetic sequencers, along with the MGISP-100 automated sample preparation system, supporting efficient sample preparation and high-quality genome sequencing.
Impact on epidemiological investigation
Rapid viral genome sequencing enables authorities to identify infection sources quickly, aiding epidemiological investigations and virus origin tracing. Since the COVID-19 outbreak, MGI’s sequencing platforms—small, medium, and high throughput—have helped detect new coronavirus variants in imported cases and provided instrumental support for both clinical management and scientific guidance nationwide and internationally.
Unless otherwise informed, all sequencers and sequencing reagents are not available in Germany, the USA, Spain, UK, Hong Kong, Sweden, and Belgium.
