Segra International Corp. has announced that its Genotyping and Molecular Lab Services Division (“GMLSD”) has installed and operationally qualified Nanopore-based sequencing for its Next Generation Sequencing (“NGS”) platform.
"NGS allows for the collection of large amounts of genetic data from cannabis samples” says Segra CEO Todd McMurray. “Nanopore-based DNA sequencing sets a new standard for cannabis genetic sequencing, and the value this technology could bring to the industry as a whole is significant.”
NGS in the cannabis space promises to allow for in-depth understanding of what genetic traits act to direct critical plant characteristics, such as chemotype, growth behaviour, and disease susceptibility and resistance. “Nanopore-based NGS is not only more cost-effective than competing technologies, but its long-read capacity greatly simplifies downstream computational requirements. This will allow us to deliver faster and more complete cannabis variety genomes,” says Dr. John Brunstein, Segra’s Chief Scientific Officer and head of the GMLSD.
"NGS technology can also be employed to discover and assess the prevalence and significance of both known and as-yet unrecognized cannabis pathogens. As novel pathogens are identified, rapid, specific, and cost-effective molecular tests can be developed to protect nursery tissue culture stock. This will help provide Segra’s customers with the most vigorous juvenile starts, and, consequently, the best growth and product yields possible,” adds Dr. Brunstein.
"Successful preliminary results have been obtained by the GMLSD, both in generating and assembling cannabis variety genome sequences, and in analyzing cannabis samples to identify the full spectrum of known and novel microbiota associated with those samples," the team with the company concludes.
More information on the Company’s Nanopore-based NGS platform is available here .
For more information:
Segra
108 – 21300 Gordon Way
Richmond, BC
T: 604-284-3204
segra-intl.com