Please Note

This option will be discontinued as of 1st January 2010. For more information, please see this news article.

We have two DNA sequencer machines so that we can provide a rapid turnaround time, failure protection and the ability to offer different read lengths on the two machines. Below we have put together a few explanations of what we mean by "short read" and how it is achieved.

Q. How is a "short read" achieved?

A. We achieve a "short read" by using a shorter capilly array to separate the fluorescently labeled extension products. The cycle sequencing reaction is performed exactly the same as for our regular read option, but the machine used for the "short read" utilises a 36cm long array of capillaries as opposed to a 50cm long array that is on the "standard read" machine.

Q. What read length can be expected from the "short read"?

A. Read length is dependent on many variables, but with a good template and primer, customers should expect to get bewteen 700 and 800 bases of high quality sequence from a "short read". Hence, it is not really so "short". This compares with up to 1000 bases that can be expected from a good template and primer when using our "standard read" option.

Q. Do I need to send a different amount of template or primer?

A. No. As noted above, the cycle sequencing reaction is identical to the standard read reaction and so the same amounts of template and primer are required.

Q. Is the "short read" option quicker than the "standard read" option?

A. Yes, the sequencer only takes about one hour to run the samples as opposed to two hours for the standard read option. Hence, results are available faster. The "short read" machine is also generally less heavily used than the standard read machine, further decreasing the time taken to obtain results (on average, but usage does vary).

Q. What sequencing options are available as "short read"?

A. Our regular plasmid/PCR product option (code 2) and our 96 well option (code 96w) are both available as short read options. We do not offer our other options with a short read version.

Q. How do I request the "short read" option?

A. When using our online forms, you select the "S" option. If using a paper form, please specify the "S" version of the option.