Genomics, the study of an organism’s complete set of DNA, relies heavily on DNA sequencing technology to determine the precise order of nucleotides. Aviti Sequencing, developed by Element Biosciences, represents a significant innovation in next-generation sequencing (NGS). This platform addresses the growing demand for sequencing solutions that offer high speed, exceptional data accuracy, and cost efficiency.
The Technological Foundation of Aviti
The core mechanism of the Aviti platform is its proprietary Avidity Base Chemistry (ABC), which fundamentally differs from the sequencing-by-synthesis (SBS) approach used by other major short-read technologies. Instead of continuously adding and cleaving reversible terminators, the Aviti system utilizes a method called “sequencing-by-binding.” This process begins with the creation of DNA clusters, called polonies, through rolling circle amplification (RCA).
This PCR-free RCA technique copies circularized DNA molecules, resulting in a continuous DNA strand physically bound to the flow cell surface. This binding helps eliminate errors like index hopping and optical duplication seen in other platforms. The sequencing reaction uses detector molecules called “avidites,” which are multi-labeled core molecules designed to bind stably to the polony at multiple sites. The system separates the base identification step (avidite binding for imaging) from the template stepping step (unlabeled nucleotide incorporation). This separation allows for independent optimization of each process, leading to improved signal-to-noise ratios and reduced reagent consumption.
Key Performance Advantages and Scale
The Aviti platform offers exceptional data quality, characterized by high Phred quality scores (Q-scores). The system routinely achieves over 90% of bases with a Q30 score, representing 99.9% accuracy. A substantial portion of data reaches Q40 or higher, representing 99.99% accuracy. This elevated accuracy is noticeable in traditionally difficult-to-sequence areas like homopolymer regions.
The Aviti system is a mid-throughput benchtop sequencer featuring two independent flow cells that can be run simultaneously or separately. This dual-flow cell design provides flexibility and scalability, allowing researchers to generate up to 600 gigabases (Gb) of high-quality data and over 2 billion reads in a single run. For laboratories, this translates to the ability to sequence samples cost-effectively across a wide range of needs, from small targeted experiments to large whole-genome projects. The operational cost is a significant differentiator, with sequencing costs estimated to be as low as $2 to $5 per Gb, supported by a fixed reagent pricing model.
Applications in Clinical and Research Settings
Oncology Applications
In oncology, the platform’s high Q-scores and low error rates are advantageous for detecting somatic variants, which are often present at very low frequencies in cancer samples. Identifying these subtle single nucleotide variants (SNVs) and small insertions or deletions (indels) is crucial for developing personalized treatment strategies and monitoring disease progression.
Large-Scale Research and Other Applications
For large-scale research, such as population genomics and biobank sequencing projects, Aviti’s cost-efficiency and high throughput enable the sequencing of thousands of genomes at an accessible price point. Researchers can perform low-pass whole-genome sequencing (WGS) for genotyping purposes at a cost competitive with traditional microarrays. The platform is compatible with a range of other applications, including methylation sequencing, which studies epigenetic changes, and single-cell RNA sequencing, which provides detailed gene expression profiles of individual cells. These capabilities accelerate discovery in areas like infectious disease surveillance and inherited disease research.
How Aviti Compares to Other Sequencing Technologies
Aviti Sequencing is a direct competitor in the short-read sequencing market, which has historically been dominated by Illumina platforms. The fundamental difference lies in Aviti’s Avidity Base Chemistry, which bypasses the limitations of sequencing-by-synthesis, such as index hopping and higher error rates in homopolymer regions. Aviti’s higher Q-scores and lower operational costs per gigabase provide a compelling alternative for labs with mid-to-high throughput needs.
Aviti offers flexibility through the ability to sequence longer library inserts than comparable systems, which can improve genome assembly in complex regions. Short-read sequencers generally excel at high-accuracy, high-throughput sequencing for detecting single-base changes and small indels. In contrast, long-read technologies, such as those from Pacific Biosciences or Oxford Nanopore, prioritize read length. These systems generate sequences tens of thousands of bases long to better detect large-scale structural variants and resolve highly repetitive regions of the genome. Aviti’s strength is providing one of the most accurate and cost-effective short-read solutions.