Roche receives genome sequencer system

Roche Diagnostics has been shipped the Genome Sequencer FLX System by CuraGen, a subsidiary of Roche’s partner 454 Life Sciences. The sequencer system will be launched in the first quarter of 2007.

The new system is an upgrade from the previous Genome Sequencer 20 System, offering higher throughput, longer reads and improved single-read accuracy. The system was developed in partnership with Roche Diagnostics.

Read lengths have been increased to 200-300 bases, with over 400,000 reads per run. The system has a single-read accuracy of 99.5 per cent over 200 bases and consensus accuracy in excess of 99 per cent, while 100MB run yielding takes under eight hours.

The system aims to assist researchers in the discovery and development of complete solutions for complex research programmes.

Christopher McLeod, president and chief executive of 454 Life Sciences, said: “We are exciting about delivering the GS FLX system to our sales and marketing partner Roche in preparation for a Q1 2007 launch.”

He added that the product offered high throughput sequencing with single-read accuracy being comparable to that of traditional Sanger sequencing.

In May 2006, Roche announced that a new genetic research method could lead to an improved understanding of the metabolising of drugs by the body.