Scientists Publish Unique Discoveries in Plant and Animal Genomic Investigations With Single Molecule, Real-Time Sequencing F...
12 November 2015 - 5:39AM
New scientific publications demonstrate the increasing use of
Single Molecule, Real-Time (SMRT®) Sequencing from Pacific
Biosciences of California, Inc., (Nasdaq:PACB) to elucidate complex
genomes and traits for plant and animal species. These papers show
that SMRT Sequencing enables critical discoveries that cannot be
found with other sequencing technologies, the company announced.
“These publications add to the mounting evidence demonstrating
it is possible to produce very high-quality, complete genome
assemblies for model and non-model organisms with SMRT Sequencing,”
said Jonas Korlach, Chief Scientific Officer at Pacific
Biosciences. “These assemblies serve as invaluable long-term
resources for the plant and animal research communities and are
rapidly advancing our understanding of important biological
mechanisms in complex organisms, even for organisms thought to be
fully characterized already.”
A new paper released in Nature today reported the virtually
complete draft genome of Oropetium thomaeum, a grass species that
can regrow after extreme drought when water becomes available. The
plant’s 245 Mb genome was analyzed with 72x coverage on the PacBio®
RS II Sequencing System by scientists at the Donald Danforth Plant
Science Center and collaborating institutions. The resulting
assembly is >99.999% accurate and includes telomere and
centromere sequence, long terminal repeat retrotransposons, tandem
duplicated genes, and other difficult-to-access genomic elements.
This plant was sequenced through Pacific Biosciences’ “Most
Interesting Genome in the World” grant program to help scientists
determine the biological mechanisms behind its drought resistance
for potential application in crop engineering.
A paper recently published in Proceedings of the National
Academy of Sciences (PNAS) described the use of SMRT Sequencing to
reveal a previously intractable region of the Y chromosome in
Drosophila melanogaster. The authors discovered a new gene
duplicated from a different chromosome that acquired a functional
reproductive role in male fruit flies. The gene was found in a 55
kb region consisting of pseudogenes, transposable elements, and
highly repetitive sequence — a stretch of the genome the authors
had spent years trying to decode. “PacBio produced a seemingly
error-free assembly of the FDY region, something that has eluded us
for years of hard work,” they wrote.
In Genome Biology, another publication reported the use of the
Iso-Seq™ method to produce full-length transcripts for the
prediction and validation of gene models, as well as for genome
annotation. Using the sugar beet as an example, the scientists
validated more than 2,000 existing gene predictions and identified
665 novel gene structures. Gene model predictions based on Iso-Seq
data resulted in a 17% improvement in genome annotation for sugar
beet.
“Our customers often tell us that SMRT Sequencing helps them
make completely new discoveries in the organisms they study,” said
Dr. Korlach. “With the highest-quality genome assemblies, targeted
sequencing for incredibly complex regions, and the ability to study
full-length isoforms as well as epigenetics, PacBio technology
portrays a truly comprehensive view of biology that no other
sequencing technology can offer.”
Papers cited:
Robert VanBuren, Doug Bryant, et al. “Single-molecule sequencing
of the desiccation tolerant grass Oropetium thomaeum.” Nature.
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/nature15714.html
Bernardo Carvalho et al. “Birth of a new gene on the Y
chromosome of Drosophila melanogaster.” PNAS:
http://www.pnas.org/content/112/40/12450.full
Minoche, A.E., Dohm, J.C., Schneider, J., Holtgräwe, D., et al.
“Exploiting single-molecule transcript sequencing for eukaryotic
gene prediction.” Genome Biology. 16184.
About Pacific Biosciences
Pacific Biosciences of California, Inc. (NASDAQ:PACB)
offers sequencing systems to help scientists resolve genetically
complex problems. Based on its novel Single Molecule, Real-Time
(SMRT®) technology, Pacific Biosciences’ products enable: de novo
genome assembly to finish genomes in order to more fully identify,
annotate and decipher genomic structures; full-length transcript
analysis to improve annotations in reference genomes, characterize
alternatively spliced isoforms in important gene families, and find
novel genes; targeted sequencing to more comprehensively
characterize genetic variations; and DNA base modification
identification to help characterize epigenetic regulation and DNA
damage. Pacific Biosciences’ technology provides the industry’s
highest consensus accuracy over the longest read lengths in
combination with the ability to detect real-time kinetic
information. PacBio sequencing systems, including consumables and
software, provide a simple, fast, end-to-end workflow for SMRT
Sequencing. More information is available at www.pacb.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
All statements in this press release that are not historical are
forward-looking statements, including, among other things,
statements relating to future uses or performance of, or benefits
of using, products or technologies and other future events. You
should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements
because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties,
changes in circumstances and other factors that are, in some cases,
beyond Pacific Biosciences’ control and could cause actual results
to differ materially from the information expressed or implied by
forward-looking statements made in this press release. Factors that
could materially affect actual results can be found in Pacific
Biosciences’ most recent filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, including Pacific Biosciences’ most recent
reports on Forms 8-K, 10-K and 10-Q, and include those listed under
the caption “Risk Factors.”
Pacific Biosciences undertakes no obligation to revise or update
information in this press release to reflect events or
circumstances in the future, even if new information becomes
available.
Media: Nicole Litchfield
415.793.6468
nicole@bioscribe.com
Investors:
Trevin Rard
650.521.8450
ir@pacificbiosciences.com
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