The hottest Genomics Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Science Topics

Sequencers From Singapore? No. But Interesting!

ASeq Newsletter • 14 implied HN points • 12 Feb 26
🕹 Technology Genomics
  1. AITBioTech is selling a small DNA sequencer (ABSEQ) with iSeq/MiSeq-level specs, but it appears to be a rebranded DNBSeq device using the same luminescence-based chemistry.
  2. Their qPCR system also looks like an OEM product from Taiwanese manufacturers, indicating the company rebrands existing instruments rather than building wholly new hardware.
  3. Rebranding and OEM sourcing is common in the sequencing industry, and while OEMs could eventually offer customized, integrated instruments for clients, that kind of tailored integration probably isn’t imminent.

P2 Solo Alternatives (But Probably Not For You)

ASeq Newsletter • 21 implied HN points • 29 Jan 26
🕹 Technology Genomics
  1. Several companies now offer compact, high‑throughput nanopore sequencers (Qitan Q‑P2, MGI CycloneSeq/G100‑ER, PolySeq X2, Meilitech), but most models are currently sold mainly in China or Russia and are hard to obtain elsewhere.
  2. MGI's CycloneSeq is the most likely near‑term global alternative, yet it faces legal/IP disputes, possible sales restrictions and tariffs, unclear pricing, and reports of lower data quality compared with established platforms.
  3. The growing number of competitors shows nanopore know‑how isn't exclusive to one company, so competing platforms will probably improve and become more widely available over time.

Oxford Nanopore P2 Support Extended, Remembering the SmidgION

ASeq Newsletter • 21 implied HN points • 28 Jan 26
🕹 Technology Genomics
  1. Oxford Nanopore faced major customer backlash after announcing the P2 Solo withdrawal, and they extended support to 2030 by about 1.5 years.
  2. The way the P2 issue was handled risks eroding customer trust, and the incoming CEO will likely need to address that damage.
  3. Patent digging turned up evidence suggesting the SmidgION — a previously missing nanopore product — may exist or be in development.

agent.bio

LatchBio • 63 implied HN points • 09 Dec 25
🔬 Science Genomics
  1. An interactive sandbox hosts natural-language agents tailored to five major spatial biology platforms (Takara Seeker, Vizgen MERFISH, AtlasXOmics DBiT-seq, 10X Xenium, and 10X Visium) so scientists can run end-to-end spatial analyses.
  2. Agents operate in two modes—"proactive" for automated runs and "step-by-step" for frequent check-ins—and users should prefer step-by-step for important work because the sandboxes were built for specific datasets and may not generalize perfectly.
  3. Video demos show these agents can ingest raw outputs, run QC, clustering, differential tests, and annotate spatial features across diverse biological problems, and the roadmap focuses on benchmarks, purpose-built infrastructure, and tech-specific heuristics to make agents reliable for scientific decisions.

Epstein Unfortunateness. HYP-FREE - A Hypothesis Free Testing Initiative

ASeq Newsletter • 14 implied HN points • 05 Feb 26
🕹 Technology Genomics
  1. Build sample-to-answer DNA and protein sequencers for hypothesis-free diagnostics so clinics can detect known and novel pathogens or biomarkers without guessing, ideally at qPCR-like cost.
  2. Japan is well positioned to lead this effort because it has strong manufacturing and technical capabilities but currently lacks domestic DNA or protein sequencing platform companies, creating a strategic market opportunity.
  3. Use an SBIR-style, commercialization-first program to fund and spin out startups, prioritize simplified sample prep and advanced sequencing (long reads, protein), and engage investors early to scale devices for global clinical use.
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SpatialBench: Can Agents Analyze Real-World Spatial Biology Data?

LatchBio • 41 implied HN points • 26 Dec 25
🔬 Science Genomics
  1. SpatialBench is a realistic suite of 146 verifiable spatial biology problems across five platforms and seven task types that recreates real analyst workspaces using snapshots of data and images.
  2. Current agent models perform poorly overall (roughly 20–38% accuracy) and vary widely by task and platform, and the choice of execution harness or wrapper can change outcomes as much as changing the base model.
  3. Inspecting agent trajectories reveals clear failure modes and productive strategies, showing that detailed traces help explain performance and that benchmarks like this are a practical first step toward engineering agents that can reliably automate spatial biology analysis.

Inso Biosciences

ASeq Newsletter • 7 implied HN points • 18 Feb 26
🔬 Science Genomics
  1. They developed a fluidic micropillar system that separates DNA using microfluidic flows.
  2. The tech is focused on preserving and recovering high‑molecular‑weight (long) DNA for long‑read nanopore sequencing.
  3. The aim is a fast, integrated microfluidic sample‑to‑library workflow to speed up nanopore sequencing preparation.

A Sample-to-Answer DNA Sequencer (FLP-L50)

ASeq Newsletter • 7 implied HN points • 17 Feb 26
🕹 Technology Genomics
  1. The MGI FLP-L50 is a highly integrated sample-to-answer DNA sequencer that combines many steps into one device.
  2. It takes a different approach from other sample-to-answer sequencers previously discussed, offering a unique level of integration.
  3. The instrument reportedly has strong sales in China, suggesting commercial traction in that market.

New Year JPM Thoughts

ASeq Newsletter • 29 implied HN points • 06 Jan 26
💼 Business Genomics
  1. Illumina’s clinical business is strengthening while overall revenue is flat-to-down, and the company will likely report modest results without launching new sequencing instruments.
  2. Oxford Nanopore probably won’t surprise before the new CEO starts in March, since recent gains looked driven by financial restructuring and price increases rather than clear instrument growth.
  3. PacBio has made technical progress and landed some population sequencing wins, but recent quarterly declines and doubts about reaching profitability by 2027 make acquisition rumors understandable yet unlikely.

Cancer-Selective, Pan-Essential Targets from DepMap

Rough Diamonds • 20 implied HN points • 09 Jan 26
🔬 Science Genomics
  1. Large-scale DepMap screening can flag genes whose knockout strongly harms many cancer cell lines but not immortalized "normal" lines, yet these results are limited by dataset definitions (many hits fall on DepMap's "pan-essential" list) and by the poor representation of healthy human tissues in culture, so experimental validation is needed.
  2. The top candidates include both familiar chemotherapy targets and new leads: some targets already have clinical-stage inhibitors or ADCs (e.g., TFRC, NMT1), while others (e.g., YRDC, SEPHS2, PHF5A, ADSL) are preclinical or underexplored and could be druggable by different modalities.
  3. LLM-generated code (Claude Code) made the project fast and reproducible, but agent-produced code can silently change behavior or omit checks, so careful human review, testing, and follow-up biological experiments are essential.

Evo 2 Can Design Entire Genomes

Asimov Press • 490 implied HN points • 19 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Genomics
  1. Evo 2 is a powerful AI model that can design entire genomes and predict harmful genetic mutations quickly. It can help scientists understand genetics better and improve genetic engineering.
  2. Unlike earlier models, Evo 2 can analyze large genetic sequences and understand their relationships, making it easier to see how genes interact in living organisms.
  3. While Evo 2 offers exciting possibilities for bioengineering, there are also concerns about its potential misuse. It's important to handle such powerful technology responsibly to avoid harmful applications.

A Dark Horse.

News Items • 216 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🔬 Science Genomics
  1. Ultima Genomics is launching a machine that can read a human genome for as little as $100.
  2. The Human Genome Project was a significant scientific effort that initially cost ~$3 billion, but now it's only $100.
  3. Advances in technology have greatly reduced the cost of sequencing a human genome.

Year In Review: Sequencing

ASeq Newsletter • 21 implied HN points • 30 Dec 25
🕹 Technology Genomics
  1. Roche unexpectedly brought a high‑throughput nanopore sequencer that looks competitive with Illumina on throughput, quality, and cost, implying single‑molecule sequencing could reshape the market.
  2. Oxford Nanopore faces leadership change and financial pressure after massive investment, and growing competition (including Chinese clones and Roche) threatens its hard‑won nanopore lead.
  3. Illumina remains the largest player but is showing flat revenue and shifting toward clinical markets, while PacBio—despite leading on long‑read quality—struggles with limited adoption and a small market.

BGI’s Mei Yonghong: decoupling won’t end, but neither should openness

Pekingnology • 33 implied HN points • 09 Dec 25
🕹 Technology Genomics
  1. Open international exchange is essential for scientific progress; without openness research becomes isolated and stalls.
  2. U.S.-led decoupling has revealed deep dependence on Western tools, equipment, and data, creating chokepoints that make a long-term structural clash likely.
  3. China should remain open while trying to move beyond a follower role, acting as a contributor of knowledge, a transferor of technology to other countries, and an organiser of major international science projects.

Element's Progress At JPM

ASeq Newsletter • 14 implied HN points • 13 Jan 26
💼 Business Genomics
  1. Revenue grew to $85M in 2025, roughly 40% higher than the prior year. Despite that growth, the company likely still runs large losses and burns over $100M a year.
  2. The install base expanded to 450 systems (up 60%) and consumable shipments doubled, signaling stronger customer adoption. About 35% of new shipments are multi‑omics Aviti24s, so customers are taking the multi‑omics option.
  3. The product roadmap includes an IVD‑certified Aviti, a higher‑throughput benchtop instrument targeting $100 genomes, and multiomic workflows for FFPE and fresh frozen samples. These product moves could broaden the company’s addressable markets from diagnostics to high‑throughput genomics.

Daisy Genomics

ASeq Newsletter • 14 implied HN points • 08 Jan 26
🕹 Technology Genomics
  1. They rebranded from Armonica to Daisy Genomics and recently raised about $2.5M.
  2. That amount is modest for single-molecule sensing work, but in the current funding climate any raise is a positive sign.
  3. Patents and company direction indicate a shift away from tortuous nanopore approaches toward nano-channel sequencing devices.

TheSequence Radar #674: Transformers in the Genome: How AlphaGenome Reimagines AI-Driven Genomics

TheSequence • 133 implied HN points • 29 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Genomics
  1. AlphaGenome is a new AI model that helps understand the genome better. It predicts various functions in DNA, enabling quick analysis of genetic variants.
  2. This model combines different types of data into one system, making it easier and faster to see how genetic changes might affect health.
  3. DeepMind is offering early access to AlphaGenome for researchers, encouraging collaboration between academia and industry to unlock more discoveries in genetics.

ANOTHER Nanopore Company! (Meilitech)

ASeq Newsletter • 21 implied HN points • 16 Dec 25
🕹 Technology Genomics
  1. Meilitech has introduced the MerrySeq nanopore platform with modest claimed performance (around 95% accuracy) and small device pore counts (1–96), positioning it differently from bigger competitors.
  2. The platform emphasizes reusability and openness: chips are advertised as reusable 5–10 times with dry/wet separation, and the system offers multiple pore protein options plus raw-trace output for user tinkering.
  3. The product looks less mature than other offerings but could be attractive as a low‑cost, hackable research tool; it also sells patch‑clamp rigs and standard data outputs, though real-world availability and performance are unclear.

Project Stargate: What Is it?

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 10 implied HN points • 07 Jan 26
🕹 Technology Genomics
  1. Project Stargate would build massive computing and genomic infrastructure that could digitize and analyze millions of human genomes, enabling AI-driven prediction and widespread genomic surveillance.
  2. Big tech, foreign partners, and government interests are combining health records and routine-consent DNA samples into centralized systems, outsourcing surveillance and making it hard for regulators to control access or use.
  3. Existing laws don’t clearly stop use of AI-derived polygenic risk scores, so insurers, employers, or state actors could use genetic predictions to discriminate or restrict people, creating lasting, heritable inequalities.

The Sequence Research #678: Sequence to Function at Scale: Inside The AlphaGenome Breakthrough

TheSequence • 98 implied HN points • 04 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Genomics
  1. DeepMind's AlphaGenome is a powerful AI model that helps scientists understand DNA better. It can analyze long DNA sequences and predict how they function.
  2. This model is really good at its job, beating many existing benchmarks for predicting how DNA variations might affect biological functions. It does this all in one efficient system.
  3. AlphaGenome can look at both coding and non-coding parts of DNA, giving a complete picture of how our genes work together in the body.

Genetic Justice

Parrhesia • 799 implied HN points • 11 Nov 23
🔬 Science Genomics
  1. Polygenic scores can predict genetic traits but work better for populations they are 'trained' on.
  2. Social justice advocates stigmatizing genetic research may hinder opportunities for certain ethnic groups.
  3. Taboos around genetic research on traits like intelligence can limit the use of polygenic scores for reproductive decisions.

Ultima Genomics, limited growth?

ASeq Newsletter • 7 implied HN points • 19 Jan 26
💼 Business Genomics
  1. They said their installed base doubled in 2025. Since the UG100 launched in 2024, this could mean they shipped roughly the same number of instruments in 2024 and 2025.
  2. Half of the installed base is for research use and half is for clinical use, showing an even split in customer types. Their installations span North America, EMEA, and Asia-Pacific.
  3. The company did not disclose total unit counts, so it’s unclear whether placements are actually accelerating or plateauing. That lack of detail raises questions about their growth momentum and the size of their contracted revenue backlog.

Solid State Nanopores - Shanghai BaiCe Technology Co., Ltd. (上海佰测科技有限公司)

ASeq Newsletter • 7 implied HN points • 09 Jan 26
🔬 Science Genomics
  1. A little-known Chinese solid-state nanopore sequencing startup has been identified, but there is almost no public information or a company website.
  2. Their patent describes a nanopore with an embedded conductive layer or single measurement electrode that senses signals inside the pore while a separate bias voltage only drives DNA or other strands through.
  3. They claim sensing through the solid electrode reduces solution interference and that upper/lower nanopores produce useful current changes, but no experimental data or public results are available yet.

RapidHIT ID

ASeq Newsletter • 14 implied HN points • 05 Dec 25
🕹 Technology Genomics
  1. RapidHIT ID is a point-of-use forensic DNA profiling system that generates STR profiles for quick, on-site analysis.
  2. Forensic STR profiling typically looks at about 20 loci, and RapidHIT ID works as a sample-to-answer PCR device with capillary readout to produce those profiles.
  3. STRs remain the practical standard largely because of huge existing STR databases, lower costs, and institutional conservatism, and the technology has been simplified from complex lab rigs into much simpler cartridges.

Introducing Cancer Genomes

Holodoxa • 119 implied HN points • 10 Aug 23
🔬 Science Genomics
  1. The new channel 'Cancer Genomes' on Holodoxa will explore topics like hereditary cancer syndromes and precision oncology.
  2. The author aims to make the complex subject matter accessible to readers with a high school level understanding of biology.
  3. Aside from cancer genomics, the author's Holodoxa channel covers various other science topics like genetics and social outcomes.

Illumina: The Measurement Monopoly

The Century of Biology • 535 implied HN points • 17 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Genomics
  1. DNA sequencing technology has rapidly advanced, transforming biology into an information science.
  2. Illumina emerged as a dominant force in genomics by inventing a new measurement technology and establishing enduring differential returns over time.
  3. Illumina's strategic business properties like cornered resources, switching costs, network economies, scale economies, and branding have enabled its market dominance and recurring revenue from consumables.

ASeq, 200 Posts in 2025. Subscription Discounts.

ASeq Newsletter • 7 implied HN points • 29 Dec 25
🔬 Science Genomics
  1. Two hundred posts were published in 2025 and there’s an archive of over 500 posts available behind a subscription; access is $20 per month.
  2. Two limited-time annual discounts are being offered: 25% off standard annual subscriptions and 50% off annual subscriptions for educational users.
  3. The newsletter delivers focused coverage of DNA sequencing, life-science tools, diagnostics, and industry news, and relies on subscription revenue to sustain a niche audience with relatively low conversion rates.

Genes Really Do Shape Social Outcomes

Holodoxa • 119 implied HN points • 16 May 23
🔬 Science Genomics
  1. Behavioral genetics can have a significant impact on shaping society and improving educational interventions by studying genetic contributions to social outcomes
  2. Studying the genetics of educational outcomes can improve research quality and empower precision interventions, providing biological insights for potential new drugs or learning theories
  3. Genetic studies, like genome-wide association studies (GWAS), are advancing our understanding of genetic influences on educational attainment, paving the way for more accurate prediction of social outcomes

Weekly Dose of Optimism #120

Not Boring by Packy McCormick • 137 implied HN points • 15 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Genomics
  1. The U.S. is planning to triple its nuclear power capacity by 2050, aiming for 200 gigawatts through new reactors and upgrades. This is a big move to meet rising energy demands in a safe and efficient way.
  2. Molecular nanotechnology could revolutionize production, possibly outpacing past technological shifts like the Industrial Revolution. It's an exciting frontier that stands to vastly increase our capabilities in various fields.
  3. Evo, a new AI model, shows promise in predicting and designing genomes, potentially creating new life forms. This technology could push the boundaries of biological science and genetic engineering significantly.

DNAe Early Access

ASeq Newsletter • 7 implied HN points • 19 Dec 25
🕹 Technology Genomics
  1. DNAe has launched an early-access program for a sample-to-answer platform they describe as NGS-capable, but the public early version likely uses targeted primer-extension detection rather than full sequencing.
  2. The system uses vacutainer-style cartridges with magnetic‑bead extraction and an ion-based yes/no readout, making it behave more like a high‑plex PCR/FilmArray-style device for rapid sepsis and AMR testing.
  3. The company has been developing this technology for over two decades with alpha instruments and a hospital trial since 2023, and it operates with complex funding (grants and corporate backing) alongside large intercompany debt implying total spend/raise well over $500M.

Weekly Dose of Optimism #126

Not Boring by Packy McCormick • 106 implied HN points • 10 Jan 25
🔬 Science Genomics
  1. Sana Biotechnology has made a huge step by transplanting insulin-producing cells for diabetes patients without needing drugs to suppress the immune system. This could change diabetes treatment for the better.
  2. Recent research shows that even non-brain cells can have memory-like processes, suggesting that memory might not be exclusive to the brain. This could lead to new ways of treating diseases by training our body's cells.
  3. A new AI model called METAGENE-1 can analyze wastewater to detect pathogens and monitor health risks. This technology could help us better prepare for pandemics in the future.

Linaxin! Yet Another Nanopore Company

ASeq Newsletter • 7 implied HN points • 18 Dec 25
🕹 Technology Genomics
  1. Linaxin is a Chinese company working on solid‑state nanopore sequencing and was newly identified as another player in the nanopore space.
  2. There are very few active solid‑state nanopore companies — some earlier startups like Genvida and RH Genetech appear inactive, leaving only a small handful of contenders.
  3. Public info about Linaxin is limited, but patent filings assigned to Suzhou Lina Core Biotechnology Co Ltd and Nantong University Technology Transfer Center show nanopore‑related inventions, suggesting active IP work.

The CycloneSeq 40K Pores? 400Gb/Run?

ASeq Newsletter • 7 implied HN points • 17 Dec 25
🔬 Science Genomics
  1. BGI’s CycloneSeq claims to use novel motor and pore proteins found in extreme ocean environments as the core components for its nanopore sequencing chemistry.
  2. The device reportedly uses a spider-web-inspired, nano-imprinted micro-well chip design to achieve ultra-low electrical noise and stable membrane embedding, enabling very long sequencing runs (up to about 107 hours).
  3. Slides and coverage suggest high throughput — on the order of tens of thousands of pores and around hundreds of gigabases per run (e.g., ~40K pores and ~400 Gb/run) — implying significant per-run data yield if accurate.

Stream Genomics

ASeq Newsletter • 21 implied HN points • 17 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Genomics
  1. Stream Genomics is developing a DNA sequencing platform that uses a new sensor technology called temporal contrast pixel arrays, which sends data only when pixel values change. This can reduce the amount of data generated during sequencing.
  2. The patent mentions using a single molecule sequencing approach that is similar to existing technologies, but the effectiveness may depend on how well the new sensor technology is designed and manufactured.
  3. While the goal is to make sequencing more efficient and less data-intensive, there are concerns about the high costs of developing a custom sensor, which might make it hard to scale production.

A Primer on NGS Technologies and Their Specs (2025)

LatchBio • 22 implied HN points • 10 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Genomics
  1. The sequencing technology landscape is growing rapidly, with many companies and instruments now available. It's becoming easier to measure different aspects of biology, and sequencing is often the final step in many biological workflows.
  2. The cost of sequencing has dropped significantly over the years, reaching under $1,000 for a human genome. This price drop has opened up accessibility for more research and applications.
  3. Modern sequencers are not just for DNA anymore; they are integrating multiple modalities, such as protein detection and spatial analysis. This makes them powerful tools for understanding complex biological systems.

Digest 5/22/23

axialdaily • 39 implied HN points • 22 May 23
💼 Business Genomics
  1. Axial invests in early-stage life sciences companies
  2. Rondo Therapeutics founded in 2019, developing bispecifics for solid tumors
  3. Kathleen Keough leads research on three-dimensional genome rewiring

The Ultima Genomics/Olink BioBank Deal

ASeq Newsletter • 51 implied HN points • 11 Jan 25
🔬 Science Genomics
  1. Ultima Genomics has won a significant project with the UK Biobank to analyze 700,000 samples. This partnership is a major step for them in the field of proteomics.
  2. Despite the project size, Ultima is expected to generate only $10 million to $20 million in revenue. This highlights the tough financial realities in the biotech industry.
  3. To stay viable, Ultima needs to secure more large projects, as its costs are high. Achieving the necessary volume of work may be challenging given the current economic situation.