Recent technological breakthroughs making possible low cost ultra-high throughput gene sequencing (UTS) open up a new era within biology
Prosjektleder hos IHA: Stig W. Omholt Prosjektleder ved UiO: Kjetill S. Jakobsen
It is now possible to sequence a bacterial genome in less than a week, a human chromosome in 3-4 weeks or generate millions of metagenomic sequences in days.
While the traditional Sanger-based technology - carried out by specialized and industrialized labs outside Norway - will still for some time be best suited for de novo sequencing of large genomes, the new technology is superior (both in speed and cost) for sequencing more or less known regions and bacterial genomes. Such technology would also provide an entirely new situation for all research groups trying to understand the genetic basis for phenotypic variation. We have therefore successfully applied for such equipment through the "Advanced technical equipment program" of The Norwegian Research Council.
Establishment of a Norwegian ultra-high throughput sequencing platform (UTSP) open for all interested groups is now a reality. We expect that a UTSP will facilitate internationally leading research carried out at all universities and major research institutes in Norway.
The broad relevance of the use of this technology is illustrated by the fact that research groups/institutions within genomics, evolutionary biology, production biology, biomedicine and food science from the University of Oslo (Faculties of Mathematics and Natural Sciences and Medicine), UMB, NVH (triple alliance), University of Bergen, University of Tromsø, NTNU, Nofima Mat and Nofima Marin stand behind this. To ensure as wide use as possible, the UTSP will be run as a service open for the whole Norwegian biological research community as such.
