What does accuracy mean to you?
Every researcher wants to trust their data, but true confidence doesn’t just come from a single accuracy metric, it comes from seeing the whole picture. Whether uncovering subtle genetic changes, assembling complex genomes, or exploring RNA modifications, researchers using Oxford Nanopore sequencing are gaining deeper, more complete insights — in one go. By capturing more information in every read, they can see connections, patterns, and biological signals that might otherwise go unnoticed.
As part of the Real Talk with Researchers series, this blog explores how scientists within the Nanopore Community take a broad view of accuracy to make discoveries that truly matter.
Joanne Trinh: driving raw read accuracy gains
Since 2018, Joanne has seen Oxford Nanopore raw read accuracy rise from 97% to 99.9%, enabling discoveries such as somatic variants in the mitochondrial genome. Improvements in pore chemistry have made what seemed like previously impossible research achievable.
Mike Hubank: a new way to look at accuracy
Mike highlights how Oxford Nanopore technology shifts accuracy from depth to breadth, enabling genome-wide insights rather than just focal points. With built-in methylation detection, this approach uncovers broader disease signatures beyond single mutations.
Barnaby Clark: a single assay to accurately classify cancer
Barnaby explains how Oxford Nanopore sequencing has the potential for precise and rapid tumour classification in a single assay. It consolidates traditional multi-test approaches by detecting methylation, single nucleotide polymorphisms, fusion events, and copy number variants with genome-wide coverage — in one go.
Anoushka Joglekar: accurate single-cell isoforms in the brain
Anoushka is tackling the intricacy of brain transcriptomes, where accuracy at the isoform level is essential to understand the complete picture of complex cell types. With Oxford Nanopore long reads, she can accurately characterise full-length isoforms at single-cell resolution, beyond the reach of other sequencing technologies.
Kathleen Zeglinski: the science safeguarding gene therapy quality
In gene therapy manufacturing, accuracy is non-negotiable. Kathleen uses Oxford Nanopore direct RNA sequencing for vector integrity checks — identifying mis-splicing or unwanted variants that could compromise safety. Her work underscores how real-time, accurate RNA sequencing can help improve quality control.
Curious to learn more? Find out how you can gain accurate, multi-dimensional insights — in one go.
If you enjoyed this blog, check out another in our Real Talk with Researchers series: scalability without compromise
Frequently asked questions
Can I detect methylation at single-base resolution?
Traditional analysis of CpG methylation typically involves characterising averaged levels of CpG methylation at a site of interest; however, this precludes resolution of heterogeneity. With Oxford Nanopore sequencing, it is possible to perform high-accuracy methylation calling at the single-base level, allowing for exploration of epigenetic heterogeneity with high confidence.
Single-molecule DNA methylation patterns allow:
- Investigation of heterogenous cell populations
- Identification of epialleles
- Sample comparisons: for example, matched tumour-normal sequencing in cancer research
How do I prepare single-cell samples?
Oxford Nanopore single-cell sequencing protocols are validated for use with cell-barcoded cDNA prepared using the 10x Genomics GEM-X Universal 3’ Gene Expression v4, Universal 5’ Gene Expression v3, and Visium Spatial Gene Expression v1 kits. When following the 10x Genomics protocols for these kits, stop after performing cDNA amplification and quantification, then proceed to the Oxford Nanopore library preparation protocol.
cDNA generated via other 10x Genomics kits, or other commercial or open-source single-cell methods, may also be compatible with nanopore sequencing, though some protocol optimisation may be required
Oxford Nanopore Technologies products are not intended for use for health assessment or to diagnose, treat, mitigate, cure, or prevent any disease or condition.
