The Midnight Kit: sequencing whole SARS-CoV-2 genomes with Oxford Nanopore

Event abstract

During this Knowledge Exchange, three presenters from Oxford Nanopore Technologies shared a comprehensive overview of the rapid, cost-effective sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 genomes using the Midnight Kit. After an introduction to the use of nanopore sequencing for genomic epidemiology, the presenters then went through the Midnight method, from library prep, to sequencing, to data analysis.

Viewers can expect to learn:

• How nanopore sequencing is being utilised around the world to rapidly sequence SARS-CoV-2 genomes, providing information critical to identifying variants of interest and monitoring the spread of the virus
• How the Midnight Kit works, enabling fast, scalable preparation of SARS-CoV-2 genomes for nanopore sequencing
• How SARS-CoV-2 sequences can be rapidly analysed to generate consensus genome sequences, and for the identification of variants of interest

Meet the speakers

Aaron Pomerantz is a Segment Marketing Manager at Oxford Nanopore, helping to drive forward the development of new areas in the research life sciences market. He received his PhD from UC Berkeley, employing next generation sequencing, genome editing, and bioimaging techniques in non-model organisms. Prior to joining Oxford Nanopore, he became a user of the MinION in 2014, developing methods for in situ DNA sequencing of biodiversity in the Amazon rainforest.

Jemma Jordan is an Associate Director at Oxford Nanopore and is responsible for the Pilot Laboratory team, who assist with the development and testing of many kits including Midnight (MRT001). She also is a technical product manager for the Oxford Nanopore Sequencing kits.

Stephen Rudd is an Associate Director at Oxford Nanopore and is responsible for the bioinformatic products and imagines user journeys that begin with a collection of FASTQ files. He has two decades of experience in genome bioinformatics support and works with the Customer Workflows team towards demystifying bioinformatics. Through our EPI2ME Labs environment, we hope to support laboratory scientists with simplified solutions to complex computational tasks.