# Shared Sequel II Systems at BCM HGSC

> **NIH NIH S10** · BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE · 2020 · $507,500

## Abstract

ABSTRACT SUMMARY
Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has revolutionized the world of genetics, genomics and biomedical
research, catalyzing the integration of genome technologies with other biological research fields. The
most widely employed NGS is Illumina’s SBS sequencing technology, that generates short read
sequences (<200 bp). The Illumina short-read platform alone is insufficient for comprehensive genome
analysis, however, as many ‘difficult’ regions of the genome require additional data to resolve their
primary sequence. Third-generation sequencing technologies have now been developed, based on
single-molecule real-time sequencing, to overcome this issue and to provide a complementary research
tool to NGS technologies. The Pacific Biosciences Sequel II DNA sequencing instrument, for which
support is requested in this proposal, is the premier instrument for generating accurate long DNA
sequence reads. The Sequel II system, released in April, 2019, accommodates a SMRT Cell with 8
million ZMWs, generates 8x more sequence data than the previous generation Sequel instrument,
resulting in a much higher throughput and lower price per base pair. This new instrument will be installed
and administrated by the Baylor College of Medicine Human Genome Sequencing Center (BCM-HGSC)
and will be made available to NIH supported investigators across BCM. As this will be the first Sequel
II instrument at the Texas Medical Center (TMC) we will also enable access by qualified investigators
at neighboring institutions. We have identified 9 major users and 3 minor users whose research projects
are geared to take advantage of this instrument. We anticipate that the availability of long-read DNA
sequencing reads will have a major impact on a multitude of genome studies, providing comprehensive
views of genomes and transcriptomes. The participating PIs are all engaged in both basic and clinical
research and so this instrument will have direct, broad, and immediate impact on many biological and
clinically endeavors. To further enable the instrument users, we will establish a ‘user forum’ with regular
meetings to discuss applications including: whole genome sequencing; variant detection; genome
assemblies; targeted sequencing including capture and amplicons; transcriptome sequencing of tissues
and single cells; and epigenetic sequencing.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9940162
- **Project number:** 1S10OD028587-01
- **Recipient organization:** BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** RICHARD A GIBBS
- **Activity code:** S10 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $507,500
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-04-15 → 2021-04-14

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9940162

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9940162, Shared Sequel II Systems at BCM HGSC (1S10OD028587-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9940162. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*