Blog
April 20, 2019
Smoking out Structural Variants in the Cannabis Genome
With its unique medicinal and psychoactive compounds, the popularity of cannabis is spreading… well, like a weed. Now legal in 10 states for recreational use, and in 33 for medical…
April 17, 2019
German Shepherd Genome Project Fetches Popular Vote
First there was Shadow, the poodle owned by gene-entrepreneur Craig Venter. Then there was Tasha, a female Boxer. Will the next de-coded dog be Maya, a German Shepherd Dog that…
April 16, 2019
Now available: Low DNA input workflow for SMRT sequencing
We are pleased to announce the availability of our protocol for template preparation to support low DNA input for sequencing on the Sequel System. The low DNA input workflow features…
April 11, 2019
Microbial Sequencing Used to Unravel Mysteries of Aquatic Environments
While some microbiologists can study their organisms of interest by growing them in cultures in the lab, many don’t have that luxury. Most microbes and algae cannot be cultured, which…
April 8, 2019
Complete Genomes Within Reach: Multiplexing Enables Efficient Microbial Sequencing
Research interest in the human microbiome and the roles our bacterial, viral, and single-cell eukaryote co-inhabitants play in health, nutrition, immunity, and disease has exploded. Yet accurately measuring the composition…
April 4, 2019
Many Studies Show Causal Variant Discovery Potential of SMRT Sequencing
by Jonas Korlach, CSO It’s been really exciting to see a spate of publications coming out that demonstrate the utility of SMRT Sequencing for determining the underlying genetic cause of…
April 2, 2019
In Study, SMRT Sequencing Provides Higher-Resolution HLA Typing Associated with Improved Patient Survival Rates
In a study just published in the Journal of Biology of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, scientists at the Anthony Nolan Research Institute demonstrated that ultra-high-resolution HLA typing performed with SMRT…
March 27, 2019
Collaborative Study with Second Genome: Mining Complex Metagenomes for Protein Discovery with Long-Read Sequencing
It seems like there is a new story every week in the mainstream press about the unexpected ways the bacteria living on and within us impact health, disease, and even…
March 26, 2019
New Isoform-Level Transcriptome Reference Helps Shrimp Industry Ward Off Disease
One of the fastest growing global foods is also one of its most vulnerable. Without an adaptive immune system, the Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, rely on cellular and humoral…
March 21, 2019
Two New Reference Genomes Expand Potential for Millet as Super Cereal Crop
The modern world might benefit from a return to our ancient roots by expanding the cultivation of one of the first domesticated crops, broomcorn millet. Foodies will appreciate that the…
March 19, 2019
New Progress in Representing Population Diversity in Human Genomes
We’re seeing real progress in efforts to better characterize genomic population diversity. That’s particularly good news in light of mounting concerns about the implications of having genomic databases that over-represent…
March 15, 2019
From the Smallest Organisms to the Most Complex, the Future is Bright for Plant & Animal Sequencing
For the thousands of scientists who attended The Plant and Animal Genome Conference in San Diego this January, the sentiment seemed to be “ask not if PacBio is for you,…
March 12, 2019
AGBT 2019: First Look at Early Access Results from the Sequel II System
The PacBio team was honored to have the opportunity to give several talks at this year’s Advances in Genome Biology & Technology conference. If you weren’t able to be there,…
March 6, 2019
GIAB Expands Variant Call Sets with SMRT Sequencing Results
You may have missed last week’s Advances in Genome Biology & Technology conference in sunny Marco Island, Fla., but you definitely shouldn’t miss the two posters presented there by Justin…
February 21, 2019
Scientists Uncover Epilepsy-Causing Structural Variant with SMRT Sequencing
A new publication in the Journal of Human Genetics describes an impressive effort to identify the pathogenic variant causing progressive myoclonic epilepsy in two siblings. The scientific team used SMRT…