Next-Generation Sequencing

As the name suggests, NUSeq is primarily a next-generation sequencing (NGS) core facility. Providing first-class NGS technology to the Northwestern research community is a main focus of the core. NUSeq has a fleet of NGS sequencers that spans all major Illumina sequencing technologies from MiSeq to HiSeq 4000. Thousands of sequencing libraries have been constructed and sequenced encompassing all major NGS applications, from RNA-seq to sequencing of CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing products.

Review NGS project workflow steps

Major Next-Generation Sequencers

Illumina NovaSeq 6000

Flexible, multiple flowcell formats to meet needs on throughput and/or turnaround time. Generates 800 million – 20 billion reads (or read pairs), or 65 – 6,000 Gb data in 13 – 44 hours, up to 2x250 bp in read length
58 human genomes/426 exomes/800 transcriptomes per run

Illumina HiSeq 4000

5 billion single reads or 10 billion paired-end reads, up to 1500 Gbp sequence data in <1–3.5 days, up to 150 bp in read length
12 human genomes/96 exomes/100 transcriptomes per run

Illumina NextSeq 500

400 million single reads or 800 million PE reads, up to 120 Gbp sequence data in 11–29 hours, up to 150 bp in read length
1 human genomes/12 exomes/16 transcriptomes per run

Illumina MiSeq

25 million single reads or 50 million PE reads, up to 15 Gbp sequence data in 4–56 hours, up to 300 bp in read length
Good for microbiome 16S rRNA sequencing, small genome, small RNA sequencing, targeted DNA or RNA sequencing and screening of CRISPR/Cas9-induced gene editing events

Nanopore Long-Reads Sequencing

10-100 kb for long-reads sequencing mode
100-300 kb for ultra-long reads sequencing
10-20 Gb per MinION flow cell output

We are constantly evaluating sequencing technology needs for Northwestern researchers. If you have needs for other sequencing platforms, such as the PacBio Sequel or Oxford NanoPore sequencers, please contact us.

Review Our NGS Quick Guide