BGI has installed GS FLX+ system developed by 454 Life Sciences, a Roche Company, to enhance long read sequencing capabilities for genome and transcriptome research.

The installation was carried out at BGI’s facility in Shenzhen, China.

454 Life Sciences president Thomas Schinecker said, "This again demonstrates the continued importance of the GS FLX+ platform and its utility as a powerful replacement for Sanger sequencing applications."

BGI NGS Department director Meifang Tang said by using Roche’s GS FLX+ system the company can achieve the read lengths up to 1000 bp reads in its laboratory.

"With the implement of this system, we hope assemblies will be greatly improved with fewer gaps, longer contigs and scaffolds in de novo genomics and transcriptomic research," Tang added.