Read Length

The HeliScope™ Single Molecule Sequencer performs sequencing-by-synthesis one base at a time – in one cycle, a fluorescent nucleotide is added, imaged and cleaved. Four cycles, one for each of the bases A, C, G and T, constitute a quad. Multiple quads are used to achieve the desired read length. Tests have demonstrated that the instrument is capable of producing sequence reads of up to ~55 bases from single molecules of DNA. Depending on the requirements of your application, you can make use of reads of different lengths. For example, if your application requires reads of 20 bases or longer, 86% of the strands could be used for your analysis. At minimum read-lengths of 30, 50% of the strands are available. And since you’re working in single molecule space, you don't have to worry about compromising accuracy for longer read lengths.

Accuracy

tSMS™ accuracy remains high, regardless of how long your reads are. Using our multi-pass sequencing method, you can sequence millions of individual strands multiple times with the same fidelity. Unlike amplification-based sequencing technologies, tSMS analysis is asynchronous - every strand is unique and sequenced independently.  As a result, the tSMS process is not subject to “dephasing” errors that occur when amplified DNA clusters fall out of step - a unique advantage of directly analyzing single molecules.

Average per base accuracy as a function of read length.
Accuracy of all reads is approximately the same, from 15 to 45 bases

Sequencing Throughput

The HeliScope Sequencer delivers throughputs of 25 – 90 million usable bases per hour, depending on the application.