Collaboration Established to Develop Microbial Sequence Database

A collaboration to develop a database of high quality, finished, annotated microbial sequences has been initiated for microbial genomics research.

The collaboration is between researchers from the University of Maryland Institute for Genome Sciences (IGS; Gaithersburg, MD, USA; Baltimore, MD, USA) and OpGen, Inc. (Gaithersburg, MD,USA) , a whole genome DNA analysis company. IGS will provide clinically characterized microbial samples and sequencing data from microbial genomics studies, including from the US National Institutes of Health Human Microbiome Project (HMP) and the US National Institutes of Health Genomic Sequencing Center for Infectious Diseases (GSCID; Bethesda, MD, USA) research. OpGen will provide optical maps and sequence finishing technology.

"Inclusion of optical mapping for the characterization of genomes will raise the standard of high quality genome sequence data and will be of extraordinary value given the unprecedented amount of next generation sequencing of clinically relevant organisms. We are using this technology for validation of our de novo sequencing projects, and anticipate that these will serve as an extraordinary set of reference organism templates to be used by the large number of resequencing efforts worldwide," commented Claire Frasier-Liggett, PhD, director of IGS and professor medicine, microbiology, and immunology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

Sequencing and sequence databases are becoming more important in microbiology research and clinical diagnostics. Having accurate sequence data in these databases is essential. Whereas next-generation sequencing technologies have enabled fast and low cost access to sequence data, these technologies do not provide insight into the microbial genome architecture and frequently provide an incomplete or an inaccurate view of the complete microbial genome.

"The OpGen optical mapping system enables rapid, accurate assembly and analysis of DNA sequence data of the whole genome. We believe that our optical mapping whole genome analysis capabilities and bioinformatics products are a perfect complement to next generation sequencing for assembly and finishing. We look forward to working closely with IGS and Dr. Frasier-Liggett's group as we continue to advance the understanding of clinically relevant microorganisms in disease," commented Doug White, CEO, OpGen, Inc.

The Institute for Genome Sciences (IGS), an international research center within the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) is led by Claire Fraser-Liggett, PhD and a team of internationally recognized faculty. Comprised of an interdisciplinary, multidepartment team of investigators, the Institute uses genomics and bioinformatics to understand genome function in health and disease, to study molecular and cellular networks in a variety of model systems, and to generate data and bioinformatics resources of value to the international scientific community.

OpGen, Inc. is a leading innovator in rapid, accurate genomic and DNA analysis systems and services. The company has developed a platform, The Argus optical mapping system, and also offers MapIt Services that provide high resolution, whole genome restriction maps for sequence assembly and finishing, strain typing and comparative genomics in the life sciences market. This proprietary de novo technology is free from the limitations of gel, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and sequencing-based methodologies. Applications to expand optical mapping technology to large genomes and clinical diagnostics are currently in development.

Related Links:
University of Maryland Institute for Genome Sciences
OpGen
US National Institutes of Health Human Microbiome Project