How does a DNA sequencing machine work?

We discover how DNA sequencing machines read genomes with the Ramaciotti Centre for Genomics Deputy Director Dr Helen Speirs at UNSW Sydney.

Videographer: Michael Kosmider
Producer: Caroline Tang
Stencil animation: Ralph Stevenson
Cluster generation animation: Illumina


We're the official channel of UNSW Sydney, a brilliantly located university between the coast and the city.

[rogeliozunigachavez]

did you know that the first human genome sequencing in 2003 took about 13 years to complete and used about 2 billion dollars in funding? they also needed the equipment of several labs around the world because 1 single machine could not handle it... and now pocket sequencing devices.. isn't it just incredible?!

[poetry]

Overwhelming information but extremly interesting. Tech is moving us so fast into the future.

[colinbenson]

Would like to see more about DNA collecting, testing principles and methods, and testing, and producing resulting data.

For seven years, in the late 1990s and early 2000s, after long careers in communications and electronics, I was a computer technician with tertiary photographic science and computing qualifications at a research institute for the sugar industry.

With massive changes on the horizon, I discussed with a scientist, who effectively obtainied the DNA of sugar for marketing, the possibility of expanding to human and other DNA testing (such as sugar cane plants).

DNA was then being highly promoted with CSI TV series.

Personal DNA and crime scene investigations have since proliferated.

A local murder in 2013 has become a cold case after a well-known journalist recently demonstrated that DNA testing had been overlooked and/or faulty. That could have been solved, locally!

When I went to the CEO and suggested the institute expand its horizons to other fields, as with another suggestion to extend research to tropical fruit wines, for the institute's viability, the response was a definite negative. (I think he was more interested in fishing and impending retirement!) (The buildings of tge former institute that opened in the late 1940s and closed in 2005, are now a private college!)

Now in my sunset years, if I had my life over, as well as having careers in radio, electronics, computing and teaching, I'd consider forensic science. Hence a quest for in-depth knowledge of the DNA testing process... and to encourage youngsters to consider that career.

[khangpilasangtam]

Could you please make another video on how the Oxford nanopore technology minion works. And how accurate is the result. Does it gives result as accurate as other sequencing instruments that we use in the lab?

[Meleeman]

HOLY shit the future is now, I want that nanopore
sequencer

[laynewyman]

The interesting thing is I figured out how to clone a dinosaur but I can't figure out genetic engineering.

[roscopico]

Excellent, how do I find out the genetics of pigeons.

[gooberclown]

Does this portable sequencing technology mean that I could purchase a carry sequencer and actually use it to check my own DNA SEQUENCE(S) from tissue samples of my own blood, saliva and hair?

[Raul]

Question: Using the Nova Seq, If you had a sample of DNA from a formerly unknown terrestrial species, would you be able to decode the various individual sequences strands as to their function and characteristics?

[mathUFABC]

i hope in future we will be able to built this sequencing machines out with and Arduino only for hobby. That would be amazing.

[johnsammartino]

Batman has been using that pocket sized sequencer for decades. I think someone owes DC comics a royalty.

[AbdolazimHasseli]

What is the name of this pocket sequencer?

[TheIamwalruss]

Can you explain how this is different or similar from next generation sequencing (NGS) ?

[europhile]

What is a sequence? a sequence of some random bit of DNA? The sequence of a chromosome ? The sequence of a whole dna (i.e 3G or 6G bases? ), perhaps the sequence of each chromosome ? all nicely presented

[sanjaymunroe]

What's the name of the company that makes these machines?

[majorharmonic]

How much do you think something like this will cost? When do you think they will be available?

[AdaMs]

These all look like photocopiers at first glance

[triynizzles]

hearing that machine cost as much as an appartment was shocking... i live in CA can you can buy apartments (or condominiums) for less than $700K even in the bay area... that would be quite cheap for a fridge size box that can sequence dna.

[tashimlo]

how do you sequence something like DNA that is too small to see?

[bayshit]

I wanna be a student of DNA sequencing 🤓