Illumina said that the application flexibility, ease of use and scalability of the HiSeq 2000 enables a wide range of biomedical applications. The compatibility of HiSeq 2000 sample preparation and data analysis with that of the Genome AnalzyerIIx system allows organisations like the Broad Institute to introduce the HiSeq systems into the existing sequencing infrastructures. The 51 HiSeq 2000s will be shipped to the Broad Institute over the next several quarters.
Illumina claimed that the internal HiSeq 2000 runs have already yielded throughput well over 350 Gb with high accuracy and number of perfect reads. Human interaction design features and the easiest sequencing workflow set a new standard for simplicity and user experience.
Matt Posard, vice president of worldwide sales at Illumina, said: “We are absolutely delighted that the Broad Institute has elected to continue to scale its sequencing operations with Illumina. The Broad has long been a supporter of Illumina’s Sequencing by Synthesis (SBS) chemistry via its installed base of Genome Analyzers and now with the HiSeq 2000.
“This purchase validates the ongoing improvements Illumina has made to the SBS workflow and is testament to the ease of use and significant throughput benefits enabled by the HiSeq 2000.”
Robert Nicol, director of sequencing operations and technology development at the Broad Institute, said: “We believe that the HiSeq 2000s will significantly increase our capabilities in high-throughput genomics, as our experience with early access instruments has already produced multiple runs in excess of 250 Gb of data and yielded significant improvements in lab workflow.
“Coupled with Illumina’s newest sequencing chemistry, the system has the potential to increase high-quality base yields at longer read lengths, and could help improve mapping accuracy and variant discovery.”