Comparison of Oxford Nanopore and Sequencing-by-Synthesis Technologies for Sequencing cell-free bacterial DNA
This scientific report compares Oxford Nanopore Technology (ONT) with sequencing-by-synthesis (SBS) for measuring cell-free bacterial DNA (cbDNA) in plasma samples. Both platforms successfully measured low-abundance fragments, but exhibited platform-specific differences in microbial taxonomic profiles. SBS generated more total and higher quality reads, while ONT produced longer read lengths, indicating that platform choice influences inferred microbial composition and diversity.
Why it matters
This research is significant for advancing clinical diagnostics, particularly in liquid biopsies for early disease detection, monitoring, and personalized medicine. Understanding the comparative performance of sequencing technologies is crucial for ensuring accurate and reliable outcomes in both research and clinical applications.
Scientific Reports ( 2026 ) Cite this article
We’re sharing this article early to provide faster access to peer-reviewed, accepted research. It is citable and carries a permanent DOI. This version is subject to further edits and will be replaced automatically by the final Version of Record. All legal disclaimers apply.
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