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Applications Portable sequencing

Portable sequencing using nanopore technology

We chose to develop MinION, a sequencer that is easy to use in any environment, enabling portable real-time DNA and RNA sequencing and analysis outside of the lab for the first time. Real-time portable sequencing removes the need to transport samples back to a lab, significantly decreasing the turnaround time of results, whether that is at the centre of a novel viral outbreak or, potentially, in the future, at the point of care. Portable sequencing of environmental DNA (eDNA) also provides significant insight into biodiversity, microbial ecosystems, conservation efforts, and provides the opportunity to sequence at sample source and validate lab-based research. MinION devices offer a simple, affordable and portable approach to sequencing, supporting our goal to enable the analysis of anything, by anyone, anywhere.

Oxford Nanopore: portable sequencing in the Gobi desert

Oxford Nanopore: portable sequencing in the Gobi desert

In May 2022, Massimo Delledonne and his team set up a portable #genomic sequencing lab in the Gobi desert. Their goal was to study the microbiome of small mammals living in this unique environment. Check out how they got on. 

Video credit: Pierre Escoubas

Parasites that threaten critically endangered animals

Parasites that threaten critically endangered animals

parasites that threaten critically endangered animals

Watch Ineke Knot explain how she used MinION for truly portable sequencing in the heart of the Sumatran jungle, to gain molecular information about parasites that threaten critically endangered animals, such as the Orangutan.

Improving conservation in the Ecuadorian Andes

Improving conservation in the Ecuadorian Andes

 Zane in the Jungle

Here you can see Zane Libke at a research station in the Ecuadorian Andes, Sumak Kawsay. Zane is preparing to take a non-invasive scale sample of the snake he is holding for downstream sequencing on MinION. Read on to find out more... Biodiversity hotspots cover just 2.3% of the earth's surface, yet are home to 44% of the world’s plants and 35% of land vertebrates (National Geographic Society). Genetic sequencing is vital to study and conserve this richness, but until now, access to sequencing technology has been extremely limited in these areas. Zane Libke is working to solve this issue at a research station in the Ecuadorian Andes, Sumak Kawsay In Situ. Using nanopore sequencing, on Flongle Flow Cells, he is working to produce DNA barcodes for all 139 reptiles and amphibians native to the area. Using Flongle 'drastically reduces per-sample sequencing cost (always a concern in conservation biodiversity research) without sacrificing sequence accuracy.' He has already begun to reveal cryptic species, helping us to better understand the connectivity of amphibian populations between protected areas, inform conservation strategies based on phylogenetic data, and accelerate new species descriptions. All of this data is incredibly important to local conservation efforts. Through field-based genetic sequencing courses, Zane and his collaborators at the University of IKIAM are also working to train Ecuadorian researchers and students in field genomics, made possible by #MinION. They hope creating field laboratories will teach us more about the threatened, delicate biodiversity of this unrivalled cloud-forest ecosystem, all while empowering local researchers.

?: Jaime Culebras

Increasing sequencing capacity to track the molecular distribution of SARS-CoV-2 in Senegal

Increasing sequencing capacity to track the molecular distribution of SARS-CoV-2 in Senegal

Molecular distribution of SARS-CoV-2 in Senegal

Abdou Padane demonstrated how nanopore sequencing provided medical authorities with real-time data about circulating strains of SARS-CoV-2 in Senegal, which helped improve infection control strategies within the country.

Monitoring a critically endangered species with eDNA

Monitoring a critically endangered species with eDNA

Lara Urban

There are only 204 kākāpō parrots alive today. 

Detailed, quantitative monitoring of the intra- and inter-specific diversity of critically endangered species such as the kākāpō is crucial in the fight to improve biodiversity. 

Lara Urban (University of Otago, New Zealand) using real-time target enrichment via adaptive sampling and long nanopore reads enabled phasing of variants in the kākāpō genome, enabling identification to the individual level, from environmental DNA. 

Using this sensitive and non-invasive monitoring technique, The Kākāpō Recovery Team are implementing nanopore sequencing in their crucial efforts to conserve this elusive species.

Snot bots & MinIONs

Snot bots & MinIONs

Eric Bortz

Eric Bortz has been using drones or 'snottbots' to fly over and collect the blow from whales — yes you read that correctly! 

Eric Bortz and a team of research students at University of Alaska Anchorage, USA are collecting these samples to better understand events linked to ecosystem changes.

Rapid nanopore sequencing of a wide variety of environmental samples - including stranded marine mammals, seabird survey samples, and sediment (in addition to whale snot) - allowed for metagenomic analysis of low-quantity sparse samples obtained in the wild, providing data valuable in the identification of hallmarks of environmental change.

The potential of nanopore sequencing to characterise infectious disease

The potential of nanopore sequencing to characterise infectious disease

Irina Chelysheva

Many infectious diseases, such as typhoid fever and SARS-CoV-2, present with overlapping symptoms, and current tests can be slow or lack sensitivity. 

Irina Chelysheva, University of Oxford, discussed the application of nanopore long-read RNA sequencing to characterise & distinguish between infections.

She revealed immune response signatures specific to each infection, successfully distinguishing between the two, demonstrating the potential of nanopore sequencing for the future development of rapid diagnostics.

Demonstrating potential for rapid tumour profiling during open brain surgery

Demonstrating potential for rapid tumour profiling during open brain surgery

Luna Djirackor

Luna Djirackor (Oslo University Hospital, Norway) shared how nanopore methylation analysis showed the future potential to classify brain tumours in as little as 91 minutes – quick enough for results to be returned to the operating table during brain surgery. 

Strikingly, in 60% of the samples sequenced in the study, the information obtained would have altered the pre-planned surgical strategy, demonstrating how this approach has the potential to significantly improve surgical outcomes in future.

ORG.one

ORG.one

ORG.one is a pilot-stage project designed to support faster, more localised DNA sequencing of critically endangered species, using the latest ultra-long read approaches from Oxford Nanopore Technologies. Through this pilot, data-rich, de novo whole-genome assemblies will be enabled through the provision of consumable support that can be used with nanopore sequencing devices. Data generated will be openly shared with the scientific community through the European Nucleotide Archive (ENA), an open data and global platform for data coordination.

Investigating the microbiome in high-altitude frozen soil

Investigating the microbiome in high-altitude frozen soil

MinION portable sequencing in the Qilian Mountains

MinION was used to sequence microbial DNA from frozen soil in the Qilian Mountains, 3,976 meters above sea level. ‘The main task of this field investigation is to explore the changes in the function of microbial communities caused by the degradation of glaciers and frozen soils in Qilian Mountains under a global warming environment.’ — Xia, Y. et al.

Real-time food pathogen detection

Real-time food pathogen detection

MinION portable sequencing for Real time food pathogen detection

'Using Oxford Nanopore Technologies sequencing systems, WGS serotyping provides for a faster, portable (with a MinION sequencer), and potentially high-throughput (with a GridION sequencer) alternative to conventional serotyping.' — Xu, F. et al.

Building capacity for public health Bioinformatics in East Africa

Building capacity for public health Bioinformatics in East Africa

In East Africa, the affordable, real-time, portable MinION device is being utilised to build viral outbreak surveillance capacity, in low-resource settings.

Rabies virus sequencing in countries with endemic canine rabies

Rabies virus sequencing in countries with endemic canine rabies

MinION portable Rabies Virus Sequencing in Canine Rabies Endemic Countries

MinION has been used for low-cost, high-throughput phylogenetic analysis of rabies virus in countries where sequencing has previously not been possible. Valuable insights into rabies virus diversity were generated, plus a new rabies virus lineage and evidence of rabies spread across international borders were demonstrated.

Sequencing at the epicenter of a Lassa fever outbreak

Sequencing at the epicenter of a Lassa fever outbreak

MinION portable sequencing at the epicenter of a Lassa fever outbreak

Real-time nanopore sequencing at the epicentre of an outbreak of Lassa fever virus (LASV) in Nigeria revealed extensive LASV diversity, established the dynamics of virus transmission, and disproved concerns of an emergent strain. These findings were communicated immediately to authorities and the World Health Organisation (WHO) to inform the public health response.

Real-time, portable genome sequencing for Ebola surveillance.

Real-time, portable genome sequencing for Ebola surveillance.

MinION, Real-time, portable genome sequencing for Ebola surveillance.

Phylogenetic analysis using MinION has indicated the recent Ebola outbreak (March 2021) is a result of human transmission of the virus from a survivor of the 2013-2016 outbreak. Previously the longest known virus latency period was 500 days. It’s great to see the MinION Mk1C supporting the community here in Guinea, just as the original MinION did back in 2015.

Fighting tuberculosis in Madagascar

Fighting tuberculosis in Madagascar

MinION Portable sequencing fighting TB in Madagascar

The goal of the project was to train Malagasy scientists to rapidly detect tuberculosis (TB) and drug-resistance using nanopore sequencing to improve pathogen identification and provide insights on disease transmission — ultimately supporting better public health outcomes for the people of Madagascar.

Sequencing aboard a research vessel to assess the impact of climate change

Sequencing aboard a research vessel to assess the impact of climate change

MinION portable sequencing Assessing the impact of Climate change

Twelve undergraduate students used MinION to perform DNA analysis of seawater aboard the Sikuliaq research vessel in order to understand the biology of the Alaskan ocean, identify the microorganisms that live there, and the threats posed by climate change.

The Mobile Malaria Project

The Mobile Malaria Project

MinION Portable sequencing for Mobile Malaria project

MinION has been used to sequence antimalarial resistance genes in mosquitos in Zambia, and whole mosquito genomes in Kenya. The project’s aim was to teach mobile genetic sequencing in low-resource settings, with local project co-leads, and 'promote the feasibility of a decentralised approach to pathogen and vector sequencing' — Jason Hendry, Mobile Malaria Project.

Informing rapid public health response to infectious disease

Informing rapid public health response to infectious disease

MinION portable sequencing Informing rapid & actionable clinical & public health decisions

'Using Nanopore sequencing, metagenomic detection of viral pathogens directly from clinical samples was performed within an unprecedented <6 hr sample-to-answer turnaround time, and in a timeframe amenable to actionable clinical and public health diagnostics'. — Greninger, A.L. et al.

Tracking biodiversity and conservation in Madagascar

Tracking biodiversity and conservation in Madagascar

Marina. B. Blanco et al.© MinION portable sequencing Tracking the biodiversity and conservation in Madagascar 1

'A mobile genetics lab can provide expeditious results, and allow scientists to conduct genetic analyses, potentially allowing for rapid interventions under emergency conditions in situ.' — Blanco, M.B. et al.

Photograph: Blanco, M.B. et al.©

Accelerating species identification in the Chocó rainforest

Accelerating species identification in the Chocó rainforest

Aaron Pomerantz © MinION Portable sequencing in the Choco rainforest 1

Overall, we establish how mobile laboratories and nanopore sequencing can help to accelerate species identification in remote areas to aid in conservation efforts and be applied to research facilities in developing countries. This opens up possibilities for biodiversity studies by promoting local research capacity building, teaching nonspecialists and students about the environment, tackling wildlife crime, and promoting conservation via research-focused ecotourism.’ — Pomerantz, A. et al.

Photograph: Aaron Pomerantz ©

Svalbard glaciers, the Greenland Ice Sheet and the Austrian Alps

Svalbard glaciers, the Greenland Ice Sheet and the Austrian Alps

Joseph Cook© MinION portable sequencing in the Arctic 1

'Ultimately, in-field sequencing potentiated by nanopore devices raises the prospect of enhanced agility in exploring Earth’s most remote microbiomes.' – Arwyn Edwards et al.

Photograph: Joseph Cook©

Sequencing sharks in the Maldives

Sequencing sharks in the Maldives

Photo of sharks

MinION is being used to compare the genomes of blacktip reef sharks afflicted with leucism at a beach research station on Kihaadhuffaru Island in the Maldives.

Genomic and epidemiological monitoring of yellow fever virus

Genomic and epidemiological monitoring of yellow fever virus

Genomic and epidemiological monitoring of yellow fever virus

The largest epidemic of yellow fever virus (YFV) in Brazil, in decades, began in December 2016, highlighting the urgent need to monitor risk of YFV establishment and transmission in the Americas. Using MinION, Nuno Faria and colleagues established 'a framework for monitoring YFV transmission in real-time, contributing to the global strategy of eliminating future yellow fever epidemics' — Faria, N. et al.

Sequencing on Mars and Europa, and in microgravity

Sequencing on Mars and Europa, and in microgravity

MinION portable sequencing on Mars, Europa and Microgravity

'Our work highlights the potential for nanopore sequencing on Earth and beyond in mobile and dynamic environments such as on passenger aircraft, drones, wheeled vehicles, ships, buoys, underwater vehicles, or other platforms.' — Carr, C.E. et al.

Sequencing in the remote Kabobo rainforest with no electricity

Sequencing in the remote Kabobo rainforest with no electricity

MinION Portable sequencing in the Kabobo rainforest

MinION can 'open new perspectives for real-time-on-site DNA sequencing, thus potentially increasing opportunities for the understanding of biodiversity in areas lacking conventional laboratory facilities.' — Menegon, M. et al.

Sequencing in the Antarctic Dry Valleys

Sequencing in the Antarctic Dry Valleys

Sarah S. Johnson et al © MinION portable Sequencing in the Antarctic Dry Valleys 1

'Here, we demonstrate the application of offline DNA sequencing of environmental samples using a hand-held nanopore sequencer in a remote field location: the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica' – Sarah S.Johnson et al.

Photograph: Sarah S. Johnson et al ©

Applications in neurosurgery

Applications in neurosurgery

Applications in Neurosurgery

'Widespread success of the MinION nanopore sequencing technology in providing accurate, rapid, and convenient gene sequencing suggests a promising future within research laboratories and to improve care for neurosurgical patients. — Patel, A. et al.

Rapid, low-cost CNV detection in cancer samples

Rapid, low-cost CNV detection in cancer samples

High portability and ease of use for clinical utility

Copy number variations (CNVs) are clinically important in cancer, and technologies that can identify them offer the potential for genomics-based precision oncology. Researchers have shown that the high sequencing yields offered by nanopore technology are amenable to high-resolution CNV detection in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) offering ‘the potential for broader clinical utility, for example in smaller hospitals, due to lower instrument cost, higher portability, and ease of use.' - Michael Schatz et al.

Real-time detection of cancer cells

Real-time detection of cancer cells

MinION Portable sequencing for cancer call detection

Cancer cell detection using conventional methods, including traditional short-read sequencing, where samples are sent to external laboratories, can take weeks — a delay that can drastically increase the risk of tumour re-establishment. Researchers are investigating the future potential of portable, low-cost, real-time, nanopore sequencing to identify residual cancer cells immediately following tumour surgery, with results provided within just a few hours.

Using sequencing to stop marine poachers

Using sequencing to stop marine poachers

MinION Portable sequencing, Using DNA to stop marine poachers

Illegal fishing is a global ecological problem. Currently it is very easy to misreport and mislabel the origins and species of catches. In contrast, the 'genetic signatures of marine animals are tamper proof' and can be used to identify the species and where it has come from. Shaili Johri and co-workers at San Diego State University, USA, used nanopore sequencing to help identify illegally caught marine species. The portable MinION device enables real-time sequencing to be conducted at sample source (e.g. boats) supporting rapid species identification and enabling law enforcement to act before it is too late.

Rapid HLA typing

Rapid HLA typing

HLA Typing

Multiple researchers have demonstrated the potential benefits of real-time, portable, long-read sequencing for improving HLA typing for transplantation and reducing risk of antibody mediated rejection The Genome Canada Transplant Consortium has shown how accurate typing can be achieved within just 1 hour of sequencing, significantly reducing time to result, while the long nanopore sequencing reads ‘make HLA assignment and phasing much easier'. Their rapid workflow further enables the application of high-resolution sequence-based typing to transplant tissues from deceased donors, which have a very narrow time window for transplantation.

Supporting global food security through real-time plant pathogen identification

Supporting global food security through real-time plant pathogen identification

Real-time, affordable sequencing enables immediate & restorative action

Identification of plant pathogens is crucial for sustainable agricultural management and strategic deployment of virus-resistant crop varieties globally. Current methods to identify plant pathogens require a lab, are costly and time consuming, thus less accessible in low resource settings. Smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa used MinION to identify the begomoviruses ravaging their crops and have 'taken immediate restorative action, based on information about the health of their plants, generated using the portable, real-time DNA sequencing device.'

The International Space Station

The International Space Station

NASA MinION portable sequencing in space 1

In 2016, MinION was used to conduct the first ever DNA sequencing in space. MinION performance was unaffected by the flight to the International Space Station (ISS) or microgravity conditions. The team stated that 'these findings illustrate the potential for sequencing applications including disease diagnosis, environmental monitoring, and elucidating the molecular basis for how organisms respond to spaceflight.' Further to this, in 2020, an end-to-end sample-to-sequencer workflow conducted entirely aboard the ISS resulted in off-Earth identification of microbes for the first time.

Photograph: NASA ©

Entirely off-grid, solar-powered sequencing

Entirely off-grid, solar-powered sequencing

In 2019, Gowers et al. used MinION to demonstrate 'the ability to conduct DNA sequencing in remote locations, far from civilised resources (mechanised transport, external power supply, internet connection, etc.), whilst greatly reducing the time from sample collection to data acquisition'. The team transported their portable lab for 11 days using only skis and sledges across Europe’s largest ice cap (Vatnajökull, Iceland), before carrying out a tent-based study, resulting in 24 hours of sequencing data using solar power alone.

Uncovering cryptic transmission of Zika virus

Uncovering cryptic transmission of Zika virus

N. R. Faria - Zibra - Project MinION portable sequencing

The origin and epidemic history of Zika virus (ZIKV) in Brazil and the Americas remained poorly understood despite observed trends in reported microcephaly. Using a mobile genomics lab to conduct genomic surveillance of ZIKV, the team identified the earliest confirmed ZIKV infection in Brazil. Analysis of these genomes estimated that ZIKV is likely to have disseminated from north-east Brazil in 2014, before the first detection in 2015, indicating a period of pre-detection cryptic transmission that would not have been identified without genomic sequencing.

Demonstrating potential for rapid tumour profiling during open brain surgery

Luna Djirackor (Oslo University Hospital, Norway) shared how nanopore methylation analysis showed the future potential to classify brain tumours in as little as 91 minutes – quick enough for results to be returned to the operating table during brain surgery. 

Strikingly, in 60% of the samples sequenced in the study, the information obtained would have altered the pre-planned surgical strategy, demonstrating how this approach has the potential to significantly improve surgical outcomes in future.

Watch here

Entirely off-grid, solar-powered sequencing

In 2019, Gowers et al. used MinION to demonstrate 'the ability to conduct DNA sequencing in remote locations, far from civilised resources (mechanised transport, external power supply, internet connection, etc.), whilst greatly reducing the time from sample collection to data acquisition'. The team transported their portable lab for 11 days using only skis and sledges across Europe’s largest ice cap (Vatnajökull, Iceland), before carrying out a tent-based study, resulting in 24 hours of sequencing data using solar power alone.

Read more

ORG.one

ORG.one is a pilot-stage project designed to support faster, more localised DNA sequencing of critically endangered species, using the latest ultra-long read approaches from Oxford Nanopore Technologies. Through this pilot, data-rich, de novo whole-genome assemblies will be enabled through the provision of consumable support that can be used with nanopore sequencing devices. Data generated will be openly shared with the scientific community through the European Nucleotide Archive (ENA), an open data and global platform for data coordination.

Read more

Parasites that threaten critically endangered animals

Watch Ineke Knot explain how she used MinION for truly portable sequencing in the heart of the Sumatran jungle, to gain molecular information about parasites that threaten critically endangered animals, such as the Orangutan.

Watch here

Rapid HLA typing

Multiple researchers have demonstrated the potential benefits of real-time, portable, long-read sequencing for improving HLA typing for transplantation and reducing risk of antibody mediated rejection The Genome Canada Transplant Consortium has shown how accurate typing can be achieved within just 1 hour of sequencing, significantly reducing time to result, while the long nanopore sequencing reads ‘make HLA assignment and phasing much easier'. Their rapid workflow further enables the application of high-resolution sequence-based typing to transplant tissues from deceased donors, which have a very narrow time window for transplantation.

Find out more about clinical research using nanopore sequencing

Supporting global food security through real-time plant pathogen identification

Identification of plant pathogens is crucial for sustainable agricultural management and strategic deployment of virus-resistant crop varieties globally. Current methods to identify plant pathogens require a lab, are costly and time consuming, thus less accessible in low resource settings. Smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa used MinION to identify the begomoviruses ravaging their crops and have 'taken immediate restorative action, based on information about the health of their plants, generated using the portable, real-time DNA sequencing device.'

Read more

The International Space Station

In 2016, MinION was used to conduct the first ever DNA sequencing in space. MinION performance was unaffected by the flight to the International Space Station (ISS) or microgravity conditions. The team stated that 'these findings illustrate the potential for sequencing applications including disease diagnosis, environmental monitoring, and elucidating the molecular basis for how organisms respond to spaceflight.' Further to this, in 2020, an end-to-end sample-to-sequencer workflow conducted entirely aboard the ISS resulted in off-Earth identification of microbes for the first time.

Photograph: NASA ©

Read more

Uncovering cryptic transmission of Zika virus

The origin and epidemic history of Zika virus (ZIKV) in Brazil and the Americas remained poorly understood despite observed trends in reported microcephaly. Using a mobile genomics lab to conduct genomic surveillance of ZIKV, the team identified the earliest confirmed ZIKV infection in Brazil. Analysis of these genomes estimated that ZIKV is likely to have disseminated from north-east Brazil in 2014, before the first detection in 2015, indicating a period of pre-detection cryptic transmission that would not have been identified without genomic sequencing.

Read more

Using sequencing to stop marine poachers

Illegal fishing is a global ecological problem. Currently it is very easy to misreport and mislabel the origins and species of catches. In contrast, the 'genetic signatures of marine animals are tamper proof' and can be used to identify the species and where it has come from. Shaili Johri and co-workers at San Diego State University, USA, used nanopore sequencing to help identify illegally caught marine species. The portable MinION device enables real-time sequencing to be conducted at sample source (e.g. boats) supporting rapid species identification and enabling law enforcement to act before it is too late.

Watch here