NGS Sequencing with the AVITI™ System – Unlocking New Possibilities
The AVITI™ sequencing platform, launched by Element Biosciences in 2022, represents a significant advancement in next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology. Utilising an innovative approach called Avidity Sequencing™, AVITI improves upon many limitations of traditional sequencing-by-synthesis (SBS) methods, offering enhanced accuracy, reduced biases, and more efficient workflows.
Key Advantages of AVITI™ and Avidity Sequencing™
AVITI™ employs Sequencing by Binding (SBB) and utilises Rolling Circle Amplification (RCA) instead of PCR-based amplification (used in Illumina platforms). This PCR-free amplification method delivers high-quality reads with improved accuracy and reduced artefacts:
- High base call accuracy: AVITI consistently produces >96% of bases at Q30 or higher, with many runs reaching up to Q40, enabling more confident variant calling.
- Uniform read quality across the full length: Unlike traditional SBS, where read quality typically drops toward the end, AVITI maintains high-quality reads even at 300 bp, facilitating more effective read merging and reducing chimaera formation in overlapping paired-end reads.
- Minimal GC bias and reduced duplication rates: Thanks to the PCR-free nature of RCA, common issues related to amplification artefacts are minimised, enhancing the detection of rare variants —an essential feature for applications such as somatic mutation analysis.
Core Features Driving Superior Performance
1.PCR-free, isothermal RCA from circular DNA libraries:
- Generates tightly packed concatemers on the flow cell.
- Reduces sequence distortion and mutational artifacts.
2. Use of avidites - molecules that bind to DNA with high specificity:
- No need for PCR-based signal amplification.
- Precise base incorporation and improved signal-to-noise ratio.
3. Dense polony formation - hundreds of molecular copies form in close proximity, enabling efficient reagent use and strong signal detection.
4. Negligible index hopping (close to 0%) - a critical advantage for highly multiplexed or contamination-sensitive applications (e.g., single-cell RNA-Seq, metabarcoding). Achieved through:
- RCA instead of bridge amplification (no free index oligos),
- Absence of flow cell cluster amplification, physically preventing cross-contamination between clusters.
Seamless Integration with Existing NGS Workflows
AVITI is fully compatible with established protocols:
- Supports standard Illumina libraries — no need to modify upstream library prep protocols.
- Produces data in the standard FASTQ format — fully compatible with existing bioinformatics pipelines.
Genomed S.A. AVITI Sequencing Services
Genomed S.A. offers comprehensive NGS services using the AVITI™ System, including:
- Whole genome sequencing (WGS) of prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms in 2×150 bp or 2×300 bp modes.
- Amplicon/metabarcoding sequencing of hypervariable regions (e.g., V3-V4 of the 16S rRNA gene, ITS1, ITS2) in 2×300 bp mode.
- Shotgun metagenomics for in-depth microbial community profiling.
- Whole exome sequencing (WES) for human or model organisms.
- Sequencing of pre-prepared libraries supplied by customers.
We also provide:
- DNA isolation from various sample types.
- Bioinformatics analysis tailored for AVITI-generated data (including taxonomic classification, variant calling, etc.).
Please contact us at
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for assistance in designing experiments or if you have any questions about NGS and pricing.