Human Longevity, Inc., adds PacBio sequencing for insight into human genetic variation

Pacific Biosciences of California, Inc., provider of the PacBio RS II DNA Sequencing System, has announced that Human Longevity Inc., (HLI) has added Single Molecule, Real-Time (SMRT) Sequencing technology to the repertoire of DNA sequencing technologies it is using to compile a comprehensive human genotype, microbiome, and phenotype database.

“Each new sequencing technology has its own unique strengths, and we recognize the value of very long PacBio reads for covering regions of the human genome that we saw with Sanger sequencing. Long-read sequencing also provides higher confidence for calling structural variants and phasing haplotypes, both of which we think will be critically important for understanding the human genome,” says Craig Venter, PhD, HLI's co-founder, chairman, and chief executive officer.

A number of recent publications and presentations have highlighted the advantages of using long-read SMRT Sequencing data to extend the view of human genetic variation. The long sequence reads provided by the PacBio RS II are complementary to short reads from high-throughput machines because they enable human genome researchers to, for example, sequence complex genomic regions, resolve structural variation, phase haplotypes, improve the utility and mapping ability of reference genomes, fill gaps, and validate variant calls. This provides the most comprehensive view possible of the human genome. Learn more about the PacBio RS II.