CycloneSEQ™ Technology

CycloneSEQ™ is MGI’s cutting-edge nanopore sequencing platform, launched in 2024 to push genomic analysis further. It enables real-time, high-throughput sequencing with exceptional read length and accuracy.

Seamlessly integrating with DNBSEQ™ technology, CycloneSEQ™ enhances genome assembly, structural variation detection, and transcriptome research, delivering deeper insights for scientists tackling the most complex genomic challenges.

Redefining Nanopore Sequencing

CycloneSEQ™ is a nanopore sequencing platform launched by the BGI Group in 2024. DNA library molecules linked to motor proteins are guided through nanopores by an electric field. Once they reach the nanopore, the motor proteins unwind the DNA, allowing single strands to pass through. As each base moves through the nanopore, it produces distinct electrical current changes. These signals are captured by flow cell sensors and analysed in real time by control software, providing immediate base sequence information.

CycloneSEQ™ works seamlessly with DNBSEQ™ technology, combining long-read capability with high accuracy. Together, they enable comprehensive genomic analysis, including genome assembly, structural variation detection and transcriptome research.

In a ground-breaking analysis of over 500 million deep-sea metagenomic samples collected from extreme environments like the Mariana Trench, we uncovered a rich abundance of genetically significant proteins. Among these, we identified a unique nucleic acid manipulation protein with exceptional thermal stability and enhanced unwinding capabilities.

This protein, unlike most motor proteins, is crucial for the thermal resilience found in hydrothermal regions. Additionally, we discovered a self-assembled, homopolymer-based pore protein that exhibits remarkable structural rigidity, minimal sequencing noise, and outstanding sequencing quality due to its small pore diameter.

Leveraging protein engineering, we’ve optimized CycloneSEQ™’s motor proteins to deliver fast sequencing speeds, long-term stability, and sustained performance, while the pore protein ensures efficient capture, stability, and low noise.

CycloneSEQ™ employs a high-density nanopore sensor array within its flow cell, with finely tuned microcavity dimensions to reduce sequencing noise and support ultra-long sequencing durations.

The integration of BioMEMS (Bio Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) and ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit) technologies enables ultra-precise detection of picoampere-level currents, ensuring real-time, stable readings of nucleic acid sequences.

CycloneSEQ™ harnesses advanced algorithms originally developed for Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) systems, powering a deep neural network trained on vast datasets to decode sequencing information with unparalleled precision.

Our proprietary base calling model, developed through large-scale distributed training, achieves a remarkable ≥99% accuracy rate and supports real-time sequencing across multiple flow cells.