Environmental research and conservation
By enabling researchers to identify species rapidly and accurately, Oxford Nanopore may revolutionise the field of biodiversity research, especially ... in developing countries.
Mariana Corrales Orozco, EAFIT University, Colombia
Sequence at the sample source, even in extreme environments, with the portable MinION sequencer
Comprehensively characterise environmental microbiomes with complete metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs)
Gain rapid answers with fast workflows and real-time data streaming
Advancing environmental research with nanopore sequencing
Portable and affordable nanopore sequencing technology delivers unique opportunities for environmental research. It has been used extensively to analyse environmental DNA (eDNA) and microbiome samples to support biodiversity assessment, ecosystem biomonitoring, pathogen identification, and animal conservation. Long nanopore reads provide enhanced species identification, while real-time data analysis delivers immediate access to results, whether in the field or in the lab.
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Featured content
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Addressing the challenges of metagenomics with nanopore sequencing
This white paper explores the benefits of nanopore technology for metagenomic sequencing, with real-world examples of its use by researchers in the field to reveal unprecedented insight into microbial communities.
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Accurate species-level bacterial identification
Discover the end-to-end 16S nanopore sequencing workflow — from extraction and library prep through to sequencing and data analysis — and how it enables accurate species-level bacterial identification.
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MinION
Paired with a contemporary laptop, the MinION is a portable and affordable sequencing device. Perform real-time sequencing at sample source for the fastest access to results. Ideal for in-field or lab-based analysis of eDNA, metabarcoding, and metagenomics.
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Adapting MinION and GridION devices to enable direct, real-time DNA sequencing, or cDNA sequencing, on smaller, single-use flow cells.
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A compact benchtop device designed to run and analyse up to five Flongle or MinION Flow Cells.
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Flexible, affordable, high-output nanopore devices for every lab — in a compact, accessible form.
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Flexible, large-scale, direct DNA and RNA sequencing devices — delivering on-demand access to terabases of data.
Technology comparison
Oxford Nanopore sequencing
Legacy short-read sequencing
Any read length (20 bp to >4 Mb)
Short read length (<300 bp)
- Generate complete, high-quality genomes with fewer contigs and simplify de novo assembly
- Resolve genomic regions inaccessible to short reads, including complex structural variants (SVs) and repeats
- Analyse long-range haplotypes, accurately phase single nucleotide variants (SNVs) and base modifications, and identify parent-of-origin effects
- Sequence short DNA fragments, such as amplicons and cell-free DNA (cfDNA)
- Sequence and quantify full-length transcripts to annotate genomes, fully characterise isoforms, and analyse gene expression — including at single-cell resolution
- Resolve mobile genetic elements — including plasmids and transposons — to generate critical genomic insights
- Enhance taxonomic resolution using full-length reads of informative loci, such as the entire 16S gene
- Assembly contiguity is reduced and complex computational analyses are required to infer results
- Complex genomic regions such as SVs and repeat elements typically cannot be sequenced in single reads (e.g. transposons, gene duplications, and prophage sequences)
- Transcript analysis is limited to gene-level expression data
- Important genetic information is missed
Direct sequencing of native DNA/RNA
Amplification required
- Eliminate amplification- and GC-bias, along with read length limitations, and access genomic regions that are difficult to amplify
- Detect epigenetic modifications, such as methylation, as standard — no additional, time-consuming sample prep required
- Create cost-effective, amplification-free, targeted panels with adaptive sampling to detect SVs, repeats, SNVs, and methylation in a single assay
- Amplification is often required and can introduce bias
- Base modifications are removed, necessitating additional sample prep, sequencing runs, and expense
- Uniformity of coverage is reduced, resulting in assembly gaps
Real-time data streaming
Fixed run time with bulk data delivery
- Analyse data as it is generated for immediate access to actionable results
- Stop sequencing when sufficient data is obtained — wash and reuse flow cell
- Combine real-time data streaming with intuitive, real-time EPI2ME data analysis workflows for deeper insights
- Time to result is increased
- Workflow errors cannot be identified until it is too late
- Additional complexities of handling large volumes of bulk data
Accessible and affordable sequencing
Constrained to centralised labs
- Sequence on demand with flexible end-to-end workflows that suit your throughput needs
- Sequence at sample source, even in the most extreme or remote environments, with the portable MinION device — minimise potential sample degradation caused by storage and shipping
- Scale up with modular GridION and PromethION devices — suitable for high-output, high-throughput sequencing to generate ultra-rich data
- Perform cost-effective targeted analyses with single-use Flongle Flow Cells
- Sequence as and when needed using low-cost, independently addressable flow cells — no sample batching needed
- Use sample barcodes to multiplex samples on a single flow cell
- Bulky, expensive devices that require substantial site infrastructure — use is restricted to well-resourced, centralised locations, limiting global accessibility
- High sample batching is required for optimal efficiency, delaying time to results
Streamlined, automatable workflows
Laborious workflows
- Prepare samples in as little as 10 minutes, including multiplexing
- Use end-to-end whole-genome, metagenomic, targeted (including 16S barcoding), direct RNA and cDNA sequencing workflows
- Scale and automate your workflows to suit your sequencing needs
- Perform real-time enrichment of single targets or panels without additional wet-lab prep by using adaptive sampling
- Lengthy sample prep is required
- Long sequencing run times
- Workflow efficiency is reduced, and time to result is increased
