MGI’s proprietary DNBSEQ™ sequencing platform is supporting a COVID-19 study led by the Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre (BMC), using genome sequencing to strengthen Latvia’s pandemic response and surveillance efforts.
Initially approached by a Swiss vaccine company due to BMC’s well-recognised expertise in epidemiology, the centre began studying the virus for vaccine development before COVID-19 became a global pandemic. As infection cases started rising across the Baltic country, BMC quickly redirected its resources to focus on research into the virus and contribute to the national response.
MGI Latvia, a subsidiary of MGI, supplied the instruments for the study, including the DNBSEQ-G400 High-throughput Genetic Sequencer and the MGISP-960 High-throughput Automated Sample Preparation System. The team also provides BMC with on-the-ground technical support in coordination with MGI’s Shenzhen headquarters.
MGI Latvia serves as a hub for research and development, production, logistics and specialised training to support MGI’s business development across Europe and other international regions. The 7,500 m² facility includes a Global Product Application Demo Centre and a state-of-the-art sequencing centre.
Rapid sequencing supporting Latvia’s COVID-19 response
Professor Jānis Kloviņš, Head of the Scientific Council of BMC, said: “Thanks to MGI Latvia’s quick response and strong support, we were able to sequence the virus faster and at a lower cost than sending samples abroad. This has now materialised in real results.”
“In recent weeks, approximately 70 per cent of all positive cases in Latvia have been sequenced. The study is still ongoing, but the results so far are promising and very useful. They have important implications for mutation tracking, contact tracing, pandemic control, infection treatment and vaccine development.”
High-throughput sequencing with DNBSEQ-G400
The DNBSEQ-G400 is a comprehensive and flexible production-scale sequencer that supports a wide range of applications in research, clinical use, forensics and agriculture.
It can produce between 18.75 and 1,080 Gb per run with multiple read length options. A full-capacity PE100 run can be completed in approximately 48 hours, while a full-capacity PE150 run can be completed in less than three days.
Based on MGI’s proprietary DNBSEQ™ technology, the system supports multiple sequencing modes with increased accuracy, fewer duplicates and reduced index hopping. Its advanced optical and biochemical systems also help ensure fast and efficient completion of the sequencing process.
Understanding viral mutations and transmission
The sequencing data generated in Latvia represent some of the first viral genome sequences from Eastern Europe to be uploaded to international databases.
Studying COVID-19 virus samples enables Latvian scientists to better understand the novel coronavirus and provide scientific guidance to authorities on how to control its spread more effectively.
Professor Kloviņš explained the importance of mutation tracking: “If you cannot understand how the virus reached a hospital, you can examine the virus genome sequence. This allows us to potentially trace the origin of the virus, uncover where infections come from and introduce the necessary preventive measures.”
He added that such data could also be valuable in the future if the virus were to re-emerge, helping scientists quickly determine its origin and behaviour.
Automated sample preparation with MGISP-960
The MGISP-960 is an automated workstation equipped with a 96-channel pipettor head. It is used to extract nucleic acid, the genetic material, from samples and can accommodate different batch sizes.
The system can process up to 192 samples in 80 minutes or between 32 and 96 samples in approximately 55 minutes. MGISP-960 supports a wide range of library preparation kits, including WES, WGS and RNA sequencing applications.
As a highly efficient and widely used automated sample preparation system, MGISP-960 has played an important role in supporting COVID-19 testing efforts.
Expanding research beyond COVID-19
In addition to analysing virus isolates obtained from infected patients, BMC is also exploring the use of the technology for urban wastewater surveillance.
Professor Kloviņš noted that the platform is also supporting initiatives in other research areas, including childhood cancer studies, cardiovascular disease research and microbiome research.
About BMC
The Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre (BMC) is the leading scientific institute for molecular biology and biomedicine in Latvia. Established in 1993, it has developed into a major scientific centre conducting both basic and applied research across three key areas: molecular medicine and disease mechanisms, cancer research, and structural biology, biotechnology and virology.
Unless otherwise specified, all sequencers and sequencing reagents are not available in Germany, USA, Spain, UK, Hong Kong, Sweden and Belgium.
