All Oxford Nanopore instruments sequence DNA or RNA by reader proteins (nanopores) embedded in an electro-resistant membrane. Each nanopore corresponds to its own electrode connected to a channel and sensor chip, which measures the electric current that flows through the nanopore. When a molecule passes through a nanopore, the current is disrupted to produce a characteristic ‘squiggle’. The squiggle is then decoded using basecalling algorithms to determine the DNA or RNA sequence in real time. Nanopore sequencing offers the advantage of long read lengths and real-time analysis.
Advantages using Oxford nanopore:
- Offers real-time analysis.
- Sequence native DNA or RNA, without requirement of amplification
- Allows for identification of base modifications
- Offers ultra-long reads
At NorSeq Ullevål we offer nanopore sequencing on PromethION P2 Solo instruments. Output per PromethION flowcell is up to 150 Gb.