Sequencing systems
The world’s only known advanced portfolio of long- and short-read sequencing systems.
Best of both worlds
PacBio offers a portfolio of long- and short-read sequencing systems that help you make discoveries that can change the world. Whether it's interrogating difficult genomic regions, detecting novel transcript isoforms, or uncovering rare variants in liquid biopsies, our systems let you see complete data.
REVIO SYSTEM
Long-read sequencing
The Revio system with SPRQ chemistry delivers 120 Gb per SMRT Cell, ideal for large-scale projects. Its fully automated workflow runs up to 4 SMRT Cells simultaneously, maximizing efficiency and throughput.
VEGA SYSTEM
Long-read sequencing
The Vega benchtop system delivers 60 Gb per SMRT Cell —ideal for labs that value speed and simplicity. Its user-friendly interface and single SMRT Cell configuration put you in full control for streamlined, immediate sequencing.
ONSO SYSTEM
Short-read sequencing
Powered by sequencing by binding (SBB) chemistry, the Onso system delivers groundbreaking short-read performance with 90% Q40 accuracy. This 15x accuracy boost increases sensitivity for rare variant detection, reduces sequencing needs, and lowers cost per sample.
“HiFi long read sequencing can now produce the most comprehensive variant dataset obtainable by a single technology in a single laboratory, allowing accurate calling of substitutions, indels, STRs and SVs.”
– Kucuk et al., Genome Med, 2023
Long-read sequencing
PacBio is the only sequencing technology to offer HiFi reads that provide accuracy of 99.9%. With HiFi reads, you no longer compromise long-read lengths for high accuracy sequencing to address your toughest biological questions.
VEGA BENCHTOP system
Built on Revio technology, the Vega benchtop system brings HiFi sequencing into your lab, giving you full control to produce the most complete genomes, transcriptomes, and epigenomes. Streamline your projects and save time by sequencing in-house. Your lab, your data, your discoveries—faster than ever.
REVIO PRODUCTION system
The Revio system revolutionized HiFi sequencing with production-scale power. Now, SPRQ chemistry pushes the limits—requiring just 500 ng of input, expanding applications, cutting genome costs, and adding 6mA on-instrument methylation calling. Get ready to push the boundaries of what’s possible.
Key differences between long-read systems
 Vega system |
 Revio system |
|
| System specifications | ||
| Input amount | 2 µg / SMRT Cell | 500 ng / SMRT Cell |
| Run times | 12 and 24-hours | 12, 24, and 30-hours |
| SMRT Cells per run | 1 SMRT Cell | 1 to 4 SMRT Cells |
| Yield per SMRT Cell | 50-60 Gb | 100-120 Gb (400-480 Gb per run) |
| Annual throughput | ||
| 200 Vega SMRT Cells | 1,300 Revio SMRT Cells | |
| Key applications |
600 full-length RNA transcriptomes (10M) |
2,500 human genomes (20X) |
“With lower sequencing error rates within SBB sequencing, this technique looks promising for both targeted and unbiased whole genome sequencing, leading to the identification of minor (<1%) subpopulations without the need for error correction methods.”
- Allender et al. BMC Genomics, 2024
SHORT-READ SEQUENCING
Sequencing by binding (SBB) chemistry delivers a breakthrough in sequencing accuracy. Compared to sequencing by synthesis (SBS) utilized by traditional short-read sequencers, SBB chemistry gives ~15x lower error rates at any given cycle so that you can achieve near-perfect accuracy in short-read sequencing without having to sequence at unnecessary depths.
Onso system
As the only known on-market short-read sequencer with a Q40 specification, Onso delivers exceptionally low error rates suitable for rare variant detection, accurate enumeration of low complexity regions, and generates the highest quality data across short-read applications at a compelling value.
Onso system delivers the highest quality data with attractive running costs, empowering researchers to discover more for less with a midrange short-read sequencer.
Sequencing in action
Video
Stories with PacBio: People first, because that’s where hope starts
In this interview with PacBio, Laura and Dave share their family’s rare disease journey and how they navigate home life with three young boys who all have an undiagnosed condition, leaving them without the important answers they are so desperately looking for. This story is the case for so many families around the world who are challenged by undiagnosed diseases.
SEQUENCING BY BINDING (SBB) SHORT READ SEQUENCING
The accuracy of SBB has the potential to advance cancer research, and broadly enable translational applications where sequencing quality is critical for unlocking new discoveries.
HIFI LONG READ SEQUENCING
HiFi reads let you accurately detect all types of variants, from single nucleotide to structural variants, with high precision and recall and phase haplotypes, even in hard-to-sequence regions of the genome.
Explore datasets
Browse our collection of publicly available datasets generated with PacBio sequencing.
Explore
PacBio has over 10,000 articles, reports, papers, and videos related to genomic sequencing
Frequently asked questions
To choose the right technology, start by defining your goal: long-read sequencing (Vega and Revio systems) offers high accuracy and works well for complex genomes, while short-read sequencing (Onso system) is cost-effective for high-throughput needs.
If you need longer reads for structural variants or genome assembly, go with long-read sequencing. For lower cost and faster results, short-read sequencing may be a better fit.
Consider your budget, accuracy needs, and project timeline to decide. Talk to a PacBio sequencing expert to dive deeper into your options and find the perfect solution for your project!
Long-read sequencing with Revio and Vega systems produce genomic data by generating individual reads that are thousands of nucleotides or more in length. These reads typically come from “native” DNA from a biological sample, preserving any base modifications present. On the other hand, most short-read sequencing technologies use fragments that are 50 to 300 bases long and rely on enzymatic amplification to generate sufficiently large clonal populations, which introduces bias and loses information about base modifications. Compared to alternative long-read approaches, HiFi sequencing excels in read accuracy and ease-of-use. Read about how PacBio HiFi long read sequencing compares to nanopore sequencing.
Short-read sequencing with the Onso system excels at needle-in-a-haystack applications like liquid biopsy research. For over a decade, the Q30 standard of next-generation sequencing accuracy has been considered “good enough,” despite its inherent limitations. The introduction of Onso short-read sequencing redefines this standard, offering extraordinarily accurate reads with an error rate of only 1 in 10,000 bases or less (a quality score of Q40+). See how Q40+ accuracy in your sequencing could mean unlocking new levels of precision and certainty in your research.
Excited to hear you’re ready to get started! From our state-of-the-art instruments to the reagents and prep kits necessary to perform HiFi and SBB sequencing, we are here to help you understand what you need to get the best results.
If you’re looking to purchase an instrument or would like to speak to someone about your project needs, fill out the form and we will be in touch soon.
Fill out the request pricing form here
Whether you are looking into purchasing your first PacBio sequencer or scaling up your fleet, we have flexible financing options for you.
- Step 1: Speak to your sales representative.
- Step 2: Apply for the plan that fits your needs.
- Step 3: Start discovering sooner.
Find out more about financing options through PacBio Capital here.