Benefits of SBS Technology
Robust Performance and Data Quality
Illumina sequencing by synthesis (SBS) is the next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology responsible for generating sequencing data across the globe. SBS chemistry delivers the highest yield of error-free reads1, enabling robust base calling across the genome. The quality and performance advantages of Illumina SBS technology give you confidence in your results.
Proven Base Calling Accuracy
Using a single base extension and competitive addition of nucleotides, SBS chemistry results in highly accurate sequencing. SBS produces the highest percentage of sequenced bases over Q30—a quality score indicating a 0.1% probability that a base was called incorrectly. This proven accuracy improves project efficiency, with the fewest false positives, false negatives, and miscalls among leading NGS platforms.2
Unbiased Coverage Across Genome
Optimized SBS reagents ensure uniform coverage and accuracy across even difficult-to-sequence genome regions, like repetitive or GC-rich spans. SBS uses base-by-base, reversible-terminator chemistry, which virtually eliminates the homopolymer errors seen in ion-semiconductor or pyrosequencing technologies. SBS also avoids the high GC bias observed in hybridization and ligation-based chemistries.2
High-Quality Alignment with Paired-End Sequencing
SBS allows for paired-end sequencing—sequencing DNA library fragments from both ends, which generates high-quality sequence data. Because the distance between each read pair is known, paired-end sequencing improves alignment and genome assembly. Sequences aligned as read pairs enable accurate detection of structural variants, gene fusions, and transcript isoforms.
Push-Button Informatics
User-friendly BaseSpace Sequence Hub tools make NGS data analysis accessible to any researcher, regardless of bioinformatics experience.
Learn About BaseSpaceCost-Effective for Any Throughput or Scale
Innovations in SBS reagents, optics, and flow cells have further enhanced the capabilities of Illumina sequencers. Examples of recent advances are shown below.
- The faster image detection and data processing of 2-channel SBS make NGS cost-effective for even low-throughput applications.
- Patterned flow cell technology empowers sequencing at the ultra-high throughput and scale that enables the $1000 human genome.
- One-channel SBS, or the Illumina semiconductor sequencing method, couples SBS with CMOS technology to reduce instrument cost and simplify NGS on the iSeq 100 System.
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References
- Based on a comparison of the top 3 industry-leading NGS platforms. Data calculations on file. Illumina, Inc. 2016.
- Ross MG, Russ C, Costello M, et al. Characterizing and measuring bias in sequence data. Gen Biol 2013;14:R51