gBox - a self-contained laboratory to boost biodiversity genomics research

A gBox is a self-contained laboratory supporting the full genome sequencing process, from specimen acquisition to public submission.

Technology

A gBox is a self-contained laboratory supporting the full genome sequencing process, from specimen acquisition to public submission of a completed genome. gBoxes would be fabricated and equipped offsite, and delivered to a recipient site where necessary foundations and services have been prepared.

Interior render view of what the gBox could look like. Credit: Marshalls

Advantages

• One-step establishment of significant genome sequencing capacity.
• Autonomous, in-country genome sequencing. 
• Access to guaranteed technical support and reagent delivery, anywhere.

Detail

As well as standard molecular lab kit, a gBox would have:

• Long read sequencers: PacBio VEGA, Oxford Nanopore PromethION P2 and minION
• Short read sequencer:Illumina NextSeq1000) 
• Server blades and storage: 1024 CPUs and 350 TB storage
• Genomics equipment: PippinHT, Megaruptor 3, Femtopulse, etc.
• Satellite uplink for data processing in the cloud

Applications/Context

Rich data to counter the biodiversity crisis: The Earth BioGenome Project (EBP) has set out an ambitious goal: to sequence all ~1.5m eukaryotic species. To deliver this equitably within our lifetime, sequencing will need to be performed in parallel and at scale, from sites around the world and close to where diversity is greatest.

Local capability and capacity for any application: Sequencing is a universal solution for a wide range of questions, from pure research to bedside patient care. While we promote the gBox as a turnkey solution to biodiversity genomics at scale, a successful gBox installation could pivot rapidly to providing endemic disease or epidemic outbreak genome surveillance, or to genomics for crop or animal improvement, or to functional genomics investigation of the environment for monitoring or discovery. Building genomics expertise locally means that local problems can be looked at through a genomic lens, and if a sequencing solution is appropriate it can be delivered.

Comparable Technologies

No Earth BioGenome Project-associated initiatives have been scaled up to what has been achieved at the Sanger since 2019. We are uniquely placed to inform development and encourage adoption of gBox and the associated processes and protocols needed to produce reference genomes at scale across diversity.

Background

As a response to the global biodiversity crisis, the Earth BioGenome Project (EBP) proposes sequencing the genomes of all eukaryotic species on earth: “sequencing life for the future of life.” The EBP mission is being realised by a network of initiatives across nations and regions, developing standards, sharing methods and delivering sequences. The Darwin Tree of Life project, based at Sanger, is leading EBP in delivery and development. Despite successes, the EBP must engineer a step-change in genome sequencing. Local communities and nations must be empowered to sequence their own biodiversity, for ethical and legal as well as operational reasons: a network of new genome centres must be founded. We envision “genomes from a box” (gBox), where centres are jump-started by the delivery of a complete sequencing laboratory in a mobile building.

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