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IT analysis of Ion Torrent-based DNA sequencing results

We use statistical analysis and artificial intelligence-based systems to process DNA sequences submitted by our clients. We can produce databases and visualisations of the analysis results at our clients’ request.

The Ion Torrent process combines a semiconductor-based sequencing technique with natural biochemical processes to convert the results of chemical processes into digital signals.

The operating principle of the semiconductor chip used in Ion Torrent sequencing is similar to the sensors of digital cameras. While the sensor of a digital camera is made up of pixels that convert visible light into digital information, the essence of the units that make up the semiconductor chips of Ion Torrent is to convert the result of the biochemical processes that take place during sequencing into digital information in the following way:

We use statistical analysis and artificial intelligence-based systems to process DNA sequences submitted by our clients. We can produce databases and visualisations of the analysis results at our clients’ request.

The Ion Torrent process combines a semiconductor-based sequencing technique with natural biochemical processes to convert the results of chemical processes into digital signals.

The principle of operation of the semiconductor chip used in Ion Torrent sequencing is similar to the sensors in digital cameras. While the sensor of a digital camera is made up of pixels that convert visible light into digital information, the units that make up Ion Torrent’s semiconductor chips are designed to convert the results of biochemical processes that take place during sequencing into digital information in the following way:

(1) The double-helix of the DNA sample is separated, and the resulting DNA strand is then broken down into tiny fragments.

(2) Each DNA fragment gets attached to a specific sequencing bead. The DNA fragments are then “copied” until they cover the surface of the sequencing bead.

(3) The sequencing beads are placed in the microreactors of the semiconductor chip (i.e. small wells on the surface of the chip). These wells are then successively filled with each of the 4 basic nucleotides (Adenine, Guanine, Cytosine and Thymine).

(4) Whenever – upon reaction with a polymerase enzyme – a nucleotide gets incorporated into the DNA chain, a hydrogen ion is released. The release of the hydrogen ion causes a change in the pH of the microreactor cell, which is detected by the “pixel” of the semiconductor chip. The pixel converts the change in pH into a voltage value, which is used to determine whether a nucleotide has been incorporated and, based on the magnitude of the voltage change, to determine how many consecutive base pairs have been formed by the same nucleotide.

(5) Ion Torrent’s semiconductor chip can do this simultaneously in millions of reactor cells, allowing different DNA fragments to be sequenced in parallel, rapidly and in extremely large quantities.

From a business point of view, the key advantages of Ion Torrent-based sequencing are that, while maintaining the reliability of classical DNA sequencing, it offers a much more accurate, faster, easier and more efficient, scalable and simpler way to produce DNA sequences. Another important advantage is that Ion Torrent-based sequencing is highly applicable to a wide variety of DNA sequencing applications.