About
Pacific Biosciences (PacBio) is a leading provider of highly accurate long-read DNA sequencing technology. Using its proprietary HiFi SMRT (Single Molecule, Real-Time) sequencing platform, PacBio empowers researchers to gain a comprehensive understanding of genomes, transcriptomes, and epigenomes across a wide variety of organisms and disease areas. PacBio's flagship sequencing systems—Revio and Vega—are designed for high-throughput and high-accuracy workflows, while technologies like Kinnex, PureTarget, and Nanobind DNA extraction enable streamlined, reliable sample preparation. The HiFi sequencing approach delivers both long reads and high accuracy, enabling detection of structural variants, repeat expansions, methylation patterns, and full-length isoforms that short-read technologies often miss. Applications span whole genome sequencing, targeted sequencing, RNA sequencing, single-cell RNA sequencing, epigenetics, and microbiome/metagenomics. Focus areas include rare disease diagnostics, neurogenomics, immunogenomics, infectious disease surveillance, agrigenomics, biodiversity, oncology research, and biopharma (gene therapy, gene editing, biologics R&D). The SMRT Link software suite and compatible partner computational tools provide end-to-end bioinformatics support, reducing analysis timelines from months to days. PacBio serves clinical researchers, academic labs, public health institutions, and enterprise biopharma organizations worldwide.
Key Features
- HiFi Long-Read Sequencing: Delivers reads exceeding 10–25 kb with >99.9% accuracy, enabling detection of structural variants, repeat expansions, and phased haplotypes missed by short-read platforms.
- Revio & Vega Sequencing Systems: High-throughput sequencing instruments designed for scalable, production-grade genomics workflows in research and clinical settings.
- Comprehensive Application Coverage: Supports whole genome sequencing, targeted sequencing, RNA-seq, single-cell RNA-seq, epigenetics, and metagenomics across human, microbial, and plant/animal samples.
- SMRT Link Bioinformatics Suite: End-to-end software for data management, primary analysis, and secondary analysis, reducing bioinformatics timelines from months to a single sequencing run.
- Epigenome & Methylation Detection: Simultaneously captures base modifications (e.g., 5mC, 6mA) directly from native DNA during sequencing, without additional library preparation steps.
Use Cases
- Rare disease research: detecting repeat expansions and structural variants in patient genomes to identify pathogenic mutations missed by short-read sequencing.
- Cancer genomics: profiling tumor genomes and transcriptomes to characterize somatic mutations, fusion genes, and epigenetic alterations in oncology research.
- Microbial genomics and public health surveillance: assembling complete microbial genomes in a single run for antimicrobial resistance tracking and infectious disease monitoring.
- Plant and animal genomics: generating high-quality reference genomes for agrigenomics, biodiversity studies, and plant/animal biology research.
- Biopharma and gene therapy: characterizing gene editing outcomes, viral vector integration sites, and biologics sequences with single-molecule precision.
Pros
- Unmatched Read Length and Accuracy: HiFi reads combine the length of long-read methods with the accuracy of short-read sequencing, providing superior genome assembly and variant detection.
- Broad Application Range: A single platform covers genomics, transcriptomics, epigenomics, and metagenomics, reducing the need for multiple specialized instruments.
- Accelerated Research Timelines: Integrated sample prep, sequencing, and bioinformatics tools compress multi-month projects into single sequencing runs.
Cons
- High Instrument Cost: PacBio sequencing systems represent significant capital investment, which can be a barrier for smaller labs without core facility access or financing options.
- Specialized Expertise Required: Optimal use of HiFi sequencing workflows, SMRT Link software, and downstream bioinformatics requires trained personnel and domain expertise.
- Pricing Not Publicly Listed: System and consumable pricing requires direct inquiry, making upfront budget planning less straightforward for prospective customers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes PacBio HiFi sequencing different from other long-read methods?
PacBio HiFi sequencing uses SMRT technology to generate reads of 10–25+ kb with >99.9% single-molecule accuracy. Unlike other long-read platforms, HiFi produces highly accurate reads in a single pass, enabling phased variant calling, structural variant detection, and methylation profiling simultaneously.
What sequencing systems does PacBio offer?
PacBio currently offers the Revio long-read system (high-throughput, designed for large-scale projects) and the Vega long-read system, both built on HiFi SMRT sequencing chemistry.
What applications is PacBio sequencing suitable for?
PacBio supports whole genome sequencing, targeted sequencing, RNA sequencing (including Iso-Seq for full-length transcripts), single-cell RNA-seq, epigenetics, microbiome and metagenomic studies, as well as specialized applications in rare disease, oncology, neurogenomics, immunogenomics, and biopharma.
Does PacBio provide bioinformatics software?
Yes. PacBio's SMRT Link software suite handles instrument control, primary analysis, and secondary analysis pipelines. Additional computational tools and integrations with partner software are also available for downstream genomics workflows.
How can I access PacBio sequencing without purchasing an instrument?
PacBio maintains a global network of certified service providers and sequencing service centers that offer access to HiFi sequencing on a fee-for-service basis, making the technology accessible without capital equipment investment.
