BGI Chooses Agilent’s Platforms to Optimize Next-Generation Sequencing Work

BGI has selected Agilent Technologies to streamline and enhance the throughput of its next-generation sequencing workflow. BGI, formerly known as Beijing Genomics Institute, is reportedly the largest genome-sequencing facility in Asia.

BGI will use Agilent’s SureSelect Target Enrichment System, the Bravo Automated Liquid Handling Platform, and the 2100 Bioanalyzer. “Agilent’s SureSelect system will allow us to selectively enrich the genomic loci of interest and help us in future human genetic studies, particularly on the cancer genome projects,” notes Saturn Tian, vp of the genomics and sequencing platforms at BGI.

The Bravo Automatic Liquid Handler Platform delivers fast, precise, and hands-off solutions to enhance throughput and efficiency, according to Agilent. It is designed to accelerate cycle times, reduce variability, and improve efficiency on any scale.

The 2100 Bioanalyzer is a microfluidics-based platform for sizing, quantification, and quality control of DNA, RNA, proteins, and cells on a single platform. It checks the quality of the genomic DNA library to ensure yield, fragment size, and homogeneity of fragment size, before moving to the target-enrichment steps or directly to sequencing.