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Eurofins Medigenomix offers fast DNA sequencing service
Roche Diagnostics` Genome Sequencer System Powers Eurofins | Medigenomix / MWG Biotech

06 Dec 2006 - Through the purchase of the GS 20 system, Eurofins | Medigenomix / MWG Biotech becomes the first international service provider in Germany to offer their customers access to the next generation of DNA sequencing technology via their production facility in Martinsried. According to the the companies, MWG and Medigenomix are able to sequence and compare bacterial genomes in only a couple of days by combining the companies' current sequencing platform, mainly based on Sanger method, and the GS 20 technology .
 
"As the first sequencing provider in Germany using GS 20 in their own facilities, MWG Biotech AG / Eurofins | Medigenomix will benefit from the systems performance and from its versatility regarding applications, from whole genome sequencing to cancer research," states Manfred Baier, Head of Roche Applied Science, a business area for Roche Diagnostics. "They make fast sequencing useful for researchers who do not need the full capacity of an own GS 20 system or who do not have all expertise in house, thus further broadening the application field for the system."
 
The Genome Sequencer 20 System is based on 454 Sequencing(TM) technology, developed by the US company 454 Life Sciences and can, according to Roche, perform sequencing runs up to 60 times faster than conventional commercially available platforms. For preparation of a whole genome, only one single preparation step, without extensive robots for colony picking and handling of the microtiter plates, would be needed.