USA – Illumina, a global leader in DNA sequencing technology, has unveiled its latest innovation, the MiSeq i100 Series of sequencing systems.
This new lineup of benchtop gene sequencers is designed to make next-generation sequencing (NGS) more accessible for research and clinical labs by offering a compact, affordable solution without compromising speed or accuracy.
The launch marks a significant step in advancing DNA sequencing technology for smaller laboratories that typically outsource sequencing tasks.
Smaller, faster, and more accessible
The MiSeq i100 Series offers two key models: the MiSeq i100 and the MiSeq i100 Plus, tailored to meet varying levels of laboratory needs.
These systems are significantly smaller and lower in cost than Illumina’s larger NovaSeq X devices, which are primarily used for in-depth sequencing.
Priced at just US $49,000, the MiSeq i100 allows smaller labs to perform sequencing in-house, while the MiSeq i100 Plus, priced at US $109,000, supports higher throughput sequencing.
Jacob Thaysen, CEO of Illumina, explained, “Our customers told us they need a faster, smaller, and easy-to-use instrument, and that’s what we’re delivering with the MiSeq i100.”
Advanced features for efficiency
Building on the success of the original MiSeq system launched in 2011, the MiSeq i100 incorporates technology from Illumina’s NovaSeq X platform, ensuring it maintains top-tier sequencing quality.
Releasing in two versions, Illumina claims its
MiSeq i100 and MiSeq i100 Plus systems are capable of 25 million and 100
million single end reads per run respectively, and produce results within four
hours, four times faster than the previous MiSeq system.
One of the key features of the MiSeq i100 Series is its use of Illumina’s XLEAP-SBS chemistry, offering room-temperature reagent storage and shipping, which reduces the environmental impact and eliminates cold-chain requirements.
Other features include reduced packaging waste, faster sequencing times, and simplified workflows for small whole-genome sequencing and targeted NGS panels.
Steve Barnard, Chief Technology Officer at Illumina, noted, “The MiSeq i100 sets a new standard for benchtop sequencing,” adding that it offers labs flexibility, speed, and scalability, enabling faster sequencing results.
Positive feedback from early users
Early users of the MiSeq i100 Series have praised its efficiency and ease of use. Geneviève DonPierre from Génome Québec shared, “With this new instrument, we are able to provide answers quickly for small projects or researchers who need fast answers.”
She emphasized the convenience of room-temperature storage, which allows sequencing runs to be initiated without advanced planning.
Similarly, Tim Roloff Handschin from the University of Zurich expressed excitement over the system’s flexibility, saying, “We can start two runs on the same day and increase our sample flow massively.”
Handschin’s lab focuses on developing diagnostic tests and studying antimicrobial resistance, areas where rapid sequencing is critical.
Impact on the DNA sequencing market
Despite the positive reception of the MiSeq i100, some market analysts have expressed mixed reactions.
Julie Utterback, a Morningstar analyst, remarked that the system is more of an “evolutionary development” based on existing technology, rather than a revolutionary breakthrough.
However, CEO Thaysen highlighted the immense market potential for these new sequencers, estimating that the MiSeq i100 represents a billion-dollar opportunity for Illumina.
The system is set to be available for global shipping in 2025, with pre-orders already being accepted.
Alongside Illumina, Thermo Fisher Scientific and Agilent Technologies are among the leaders in the NGS analyser and reagents space.
