Thermo Fisher Scientific and the Icahn Institute for Genomics and Multiscale Biology at Mount Sinai today announced the selection of a suite of 16 next generation sequencing (NGS) systems and ancillary technology from the Ion Torrent portfolio for genomics research in a new, state-of-the art facility designed for studies requiring large volumes of samples.
In October 2014, eight Ion Proton Sequencers, eight Ion Chef Systems, the Torrent Suite Variant Caller and AmpliSeq Custom Panels will be deployed in Mount Sinai’s new genomics research center located in Branford, Connecticut. This highly automated NGS facility will focus on large volume sequencing projects for research applications. Thermo Fisher collaborated with Mount Sinai researchers to develop custom AmpliSeq targets derived for gene targets chosen by Mount Sinai investigators to comprise the largest custom panel to date (26,000 amplicons across two pools).
"After considering the sequencing systems on the market, the Ion Proton was a clear choice for high-throughput targeted sequencing," said Robert Sebra, PhD, Director of Technology Development and Assistant Professor of Genetics and Genomic Sciences at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
The new custom panel covers over 700 genes that have been known to increase the risk for inherited genetic diseases, cancer, cardiovascular, obesity, and other disorders.
The Ion Proton platform will also be deployed in support of Mount Sinai’s Resilience Project, a research program that aims to identify and better understand genes and other factors that may protect certain individuals from developing rare catastrophic diseases.
Across a range of major projects, the Icahn Institute at Mount Sinai plans to sequence hundreds of thousands of samples over the next two-to-three years.