# New short-read sequencing platforms

Source: https://onco.cc/technologies/next-gen-short-read-platforms/  
OnCo record `next-gen-short-read-platforms` (Technology). Data CC BY-NC 4.0, attribute "Data from OnCo (onco.cc)"; commercial use needs a licence.

## TL;DR

New short-read sequencing platforms from Ultima Genomics, Element Biosciences, Roche and MGI compete with Illumina by cutting the cost per gigabase, with Ultima claiming a genome under 100 dollars. Cheaper reads make whole-genome tumour-normal sequencing and deep ctDNA testing affordable in principle, but clinical assays must be revalidated and Illumina's installed base still dominates.

## Summary

Ultima Genomics (UG 100, sub-$100 genome claims), Element Biosciences (AVITI), Roche's sequencing-by-expansion (SBX, launched 2025-26), MGI/Complete Genomics, and Singular Genomics compete with Illumina's NovaSeq X. Lower cost per gigabase enables whole-genome tumour-normal sequencing, high-depth ctDNA, and single-cell studies at scale; clinical validation and installed base still favour Illumina.

## Fields

- Kind: Technology
- Status: emerging
- Last checked: 2026-09-08
- Tags: supporting
- Principle: Massively parallel sequencing-by-synthesis or expansion chemistry with optical or electronic readout on flow cells or open wafers.
- Strengths: Falling cost per genome; Competition drives assay innovation
- Limitations: Clinical assay revalidation on new platforms; Ecosystem lock-in

## Sources

- Almogy et al., Cost-efficient whole-genome sequencing using mostly natural sequencing-by-synthesis chemistry (Ultima Genomics, bioRxiv 2022): https://doi.org/10.1101/2022.05.29.493900

## Connected records

- fronts: [Diagnostics & Biomarkers](https://onco.cc/fronts/diagnostics/)
- technologies: [Comprehensive genomic profiling](https://onco.cc/technologies/cgp/), [Liquid biopsy (ctDNA)](https://onco.cc/technologies/liquid-biopsy/), [Whole-exome & whole-genome sequencing](https://onco.cc/technologies/wes-wgs/)
- companies: [Element Biosciences](https://onco.cc/companies/element-biosciences/), [Illumina](https://onco.cc/companies/illumina/), [MGI Tech](https://onco.cc/companies/mgi-tech/), [Roche / Genentech](https://onco.cc/companies/roche-genentech/), [Ultima Genomics](https://onco.cc/companies/ultima-genomics/)
- key papers: [Cost-efficient whole genome-sequencing using novel mostly natural sequencing-by-synthesis chemistry and open fluidics platform](https://onco.cc/key-papers/paper-almogy-biorxiv/)
- terms: [BIOSECURE Act](https://onco.cc/terms/biosecure-act/)

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