• SKIP TO CONTENT
  • SKIP NAVIGATION
  • Patient Resources
    • COVID-19 Patient Resource Center
    • Clinical Trials
    • Search Clinical Trials
    • Patient Notification System
    • What is Clinical Research?
    • Volunteering for a Clinical Trial
    • Understanding Informed Consent
    • Useful Resources
    • FDA Approved Drugs
  • Professional Resources
    • Research Center Profiles
    • Clinical Trial Listings
    • Market Research
    • FDA Approved Drugs
    • Training Guides
    • Books
    • eLearning
    • Events
    • Newsletters
    • JobWatch
    • White Papers
    • SOPs
    • eCFR and Guidances
  • White Papers
  • Trial Listings
  • Advertise
  • COVID-19
  • iConnect
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Home » Roche launches GS FLX+ System software update

Roche launches GS FLX+ System software update

August 12, 2013
CenterWatch Staff

Roche has launched a software update that extends the range of amplicon lengths available for targeted next-generation sequencing studies on the 454 GS FLX+ System. The latest software enables sequencing of amplicons up to 800bp while maintaining >99% accuracy over the length of the read.

High-quality sequencing of even longer amplicons up to 1,100bp has been successfully demonstrated in early access testing. The long read improvements allow researchers to obtain more complete coverage of target gene regions using fewer amplicons, both simplifying experimental design and improving the biological relevance of sequencing results.

“We are actively working to make these same long read developments available on our benchtop GS Junior System in 2014,” said Frank Pitzer, president, Roche Sequencing Solutions.

Long amplicon read lengths are critical for a variety of targeted sequencing applications including human gene sequencing and viral drug resistance studies as well as microbial community analysis. Early results of targeted sequencing of 16S and 18S ribosomal RNA genes to accurately profile mixed communities have shown the extended amplicon read lengths allow coverage of more variable regions in a single read. This results in more precise taxonomic assignment of organisms down to the genus and even species level, which is of particular importance for microbiome studies in clinical research.

Early access testing of the latest GS FLX+ software v2.9 was led by metagenomics researchers who also have optimized open source microbial community profiling tools QIIME and mothur for the latest long read data.  

“The new software for the GS FLX+ System will enable researchers to obtain longer sequence reads from 16S rRNA gene amplicons without sacrificing data quality,” said Patrick Schloss, Ph.D., assistant professor at the University of Michigan and author of mothur. “This is a great advance for microbial ecologists since it will enable them to get better taxonomic classification of their data.”

The GS FLX+ long amplicons will allow more comprehensive detection of genetic variations in human gene panels by spanning more introns and exons. The long reads also improve haplotype phasing of more distantly linked variants, which is critical for genotyping of highly polymorphic regions of the genome such as the Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) gene. Longer amplicon read lengths also significantly ease sequencing experimental design, workflow and analysis by allowing optimal primer placement, the use of fewer amplicons to cover target regions and direct transition of pre-existing Sanger amplicons to the GS FLX+ System.

Upcoming Events

  • 17May

    Three Data Trends to Consider Now When Developing Your Decentralized Clinical Trial Strategy

  • 24May

    Powering an Effective Oversight Strategy with Clinical and Operational Insights

  • 25May

    2022 WCG Avoca Quality & Innovation Summit: Own the Future

  • 28Jun

    Effective Root Cause Analysis and CAPA Investigations for the Life Sciences

  • 16Oct

    WCG MAGI's Clinical Research Hybrid Conference - 2022 West

Featured Products

  • Spreadsheet Validation: Tools and Techniques to Make Data in Excel Compliant

    Spreadsheet Validation: Tools and Techniques to Make Data in Excel Compliant

  • Surviving an FDA GCP Inspection

    Surviving an FDA GCP Inspection: Resources for Investigators, Sponsors, CROs and IRBs

Featured Stories

  • Protocol-360x240.png

    Avoid Deviations by Making Protocol Review a Team Effort

  • SelectionProcess-360x240.png

    Give Us a Voice: Sites Clamor for a Say on Vendor Selection

  • Convince-360x240.png

    Use Data and Details to Convince Site Leadership to Add Staff

  • AsktheExpertsBadge-360x240.png

    Ask the Experts: Listing Trial Staff and Others on the Statement of Investigator

Standard Operating Procedures for Risk-Based Monitoring of Clinical Trials

The information you need to adapt your monitoring plan to changing times.

Learn More Here
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information

Footer Logo

300 N. Washington St., Suite 200, Falls Church, VA 22046, USA

Phone 617.948.5100 – Toll free 866.219.3440

Copyright © 2022. All Rights Reserved. Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing