Life Technologies presents data on new sequencing technology

Life Technologies has presented research data on a new form of single molecule sequencing (SMS) technology which it believes will offer new advantages in the field of genomic data collections.

The company announced results from early trials of the technology at the Advances in Genome Biology and Technology meeting in Florida in order to support the efficacy of the Qdot nanocrystal-based system.

It claims that the technology, which uses the microscopic semiconductor crystals to detect and sequence single molecules in a quick and accurate way, can allow for genomic data to be generated in a matter of hours rather than days or weeks.

Kip Miller, president of the genetic systems division for Life Technologies, stated that this will make the technology useful to researchers who require “rapid, highly accurate sequencing results”.

He added: “Our investment in the development of this SMS system demonstrates our ongoing commitment to the entire DNA sequencing technology continuum.”

Last week, the company unveiled its Applied Biosystems SOLiD PI System, a new genomic analysis and sequencing platform which is optimised for accuracy and affordability.