High-Throughput Next-Generation Sequencing Instrument

• Subject Area: Basic Research in Biology and Medicine
• Term: Funded in 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 571329869

In this proposal, we are applying for an ultra-high throughput short-read next generation sequencing (NGS) device. The new instrument will be operated by the Cologne Center of Genomics (CCG), which is part of the West German Genome Center (WGGC) at the University of Cologne. The WGGC was established in 2018. In 2025, the participating universities of Aachen, Bonn, Düsseldorf, and Cologne formally developed the WGGC into a joint scientific institution. Its mission is to provide the research community with cutting-edge genomic infrastructure and expert support on a long-term basis. The need for sequencing capacity continues to grow rapidly. To meet this demand, the acquisition of a new hich-throughput NGS system is essential. The instrument will serve a wide range of sequencing applications across the Cologne region and beyond. At the WGGC, demand for short-read sequencing has steadily increased over the past several years. This new system will enable us to maintain and expand our technology portfolio, significantly boost sequencing throughput, and support the development of novel applications. The rationale for acquiring an ultra-high-throughput sequencing device is multifaceted: First, the increased throughput will support projects that require high sequencing coverage. This is particularly critical in fields such as oncology, where the allele frequencies of somatic mutations can be extremely low. It will also enhance studies involving biomarker detection from circulating free DNA. Second, the substantial reduction in sequencing costs enabled by the new instrument will allow the analysis of large sample cohorts - even at population scale - which is critical for biomarker discovery and epidemiological research. Third, many emerging research areas, such as developmental and evolutionary biology, now focus on single-cell resolution. While single-cell sequencing is already well established at WGGC-Cologne, the current limitations in throughput restrict project scale. The new instrument will overcome this bottleneck. Fourth, we aim to invest in a highly versatile system that can provide both short-read and long-read data from a single platform. This combination will support high-quality whole genome assemblies and allow the resolution of complex genomic regions, such as repetitive elements, which are often underrepresented. The acquisition of this ultra-high-throughput sequencing instrument will represent a major technological leap for genomic research in Cologne and across the broader WGGC network. It will strengthen our ability to support cutting-edge research and ensure continued access to world-class sequencing infrastructure for all WGGC-affiliated researchers

• DFG Programme: Major Research Instrumentation
• Major Instrumentation: Hochdurchsatz Gerät für die Next-Generation-Sequenzierung
• Instrumentation Group: 3150 DNA-Sequenzer
• Applicant Institution: Universität zu Köln
• Leader: Professorin Dr. Michal-Ruth Schweiger