Oxford Gene Technology releases next generation sequencing survey results

OGT publishes survey results

Oxford Gene Technology (OGT), provider of innovative genetics research and biomarker solutions to advance molecular medicine, has released the results from a recent survey of researchers using next generation sequencing. The survey was designed to investigate current trends in NGS usage and determine future demands; to aid OGT in continuing to deliver high-quality, up-to-date services and provide insightful, relevant customer resources. The company received 596 responses from its worldwide database of contacts and donated to the UK charity DEBRA (for the genetic skin blistering condition Epidermolysis Bullosa) for each completed survey.

Responses on the most popular research areas for NGS and choice of methods uncovered a trend towards cost-effective, high-resolution targeted resequencing techniques over whole genome sequencing, with the Illumina platform identified as the leading technology. Cancer and rare disease are the most popular research areas for using NGS, supporting the use of targeted approaches which enable more accurate detection of rare variants.

Challenges in bioinformatics were found to be one of the biggest barriers to NGS implementation, which may explain why over a third of investigators choose to outsource data analysis. Supporting this finding, data quality and bioinformatics expertise are cited in the top three essential factors when choosing an NGS service provider. 

Further insights into the use of NGS for clinical tests, preferred NGS methods, and demands on service providers are also presented.