Press release: University of Göttingen helps accelerate DNA sequencing

Nr. 150/2010 - 22.07.2010

Novel system available to scientists since early July

(pug) The Institute of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Göttingen boasts Germany’s first high-throughput sequencer with automated preparation. The novel DNA sequencing method makes it possible to process up to 2 billion sequences simultaneously at a previously unattainable price. The highly automated preparation plays a key role by significantly simplifying the procedure and reducing hands-on time compared to earlier methods while delivering highly reproducible and reliable results. The new system was installed at the Molecular Biology of Livestock and Centre for Molecular Diagnostics division of the Department for Livestock Sciences.

DNA sequencing – determining the nucleotide sequence of a DNA molecule – revolutionised biology and ushered in the era of genomics. Nucleotides are molecules that are part of the foundation for genetic material. In sequencing, a direct reading of the nucleotide sequence is taken. Since the genomes of more than 1,000 species have been decoded since the mid-‘90s, this latest DNA sequencing method can be used for such things as investigating genetic diseases. “Decoding the human genome took 13 years and cost between €2 billion and €3 billion. The new system can decode 25 times as many genomes in a week at a cost of less than €300 per genome,” says Associate Professor Dr. Ekkehard Schütz, Vice President Research at Chronix Biomedical in Göttingen

The sequencing laboratory at the Institute of Veterinary Medicine is led by Dr. Julia Beck, Senior Scientist at Chronix Biomedical. “The future of molecular diagnostics lies in the mechanisation of the entire process. The new sequencing system reduces the time necessary by about 80% while improving the reproducibility of the results,” says Dr. Beck. The Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Chronix Biomedical have cooperated for years including on a recently approved joint BSE project led by the University of Calgary in Canada.

Scientists have been able to place orders for sequencing since early July. Professor Dr. Bertram Brenig, Director of the Institute of Veterinary Medicine, emphasised the advantages of the new method: “This system reaches a new level of scientific sequencing. I’m very pleased that we can now offer researchers a novel and cost-effective sequencing method in Göttingen, a scientific hub.”



Contact address:
Prof. Dr. Dr. Bertram Brenig
Georg-August-Universität Göttingen
Faculty for Agricultural Sciences
Department of Livestock Sciences
Institute of Veterinary Medicine
Burckhardtweg 2, 37077 Göttingen
Telephone +49 (0551) 39-3383,
E-Mail: bbrenig@gwdg.de
Internet: www.tieraerztliches-institut.uni-goettingen.de