Roche has unveiled a revolutionary DNA sequencing technology known as sequencing by expansion (SBX), a product of biochemist Mark Kokoris and his team.

Kokoris's motivation stems from a personal connection, as he was inspired by his mother's struggle with multiple myeloma and the advancements in diagnostics.

Years of dedication led Kokoris to develop SBX, aiming to make DNA sequencing faster, more accurate, and adaptable through the creation of surrogate molecules called Xpandomers.

This innovative technology merges DNA synthesis with nanopore reading, addressing the time and accuracy challenges posed by traditional cycle-based sequencing methods.

The process involves copying a single DNA strand into a complementary strand that incorporates larger loop-shaped molecules, which allows the DNA to expand up to 50 times its original length for improved sequence reading.

Once expanded, the Xpandomer DNA is analyzed through nanopores, where changes in electrical voltage reveal the genetic sequence.

Designed to be scalable, SBX effectively accommodates both large and small sequencing projects, making it a versatile tool for various applications.

After nearly a decade of research and numerous setbacks, Kokoris's team achieved a breakthrough by introducing a stabilizing molecule, which was pivotal for the success of SBX technology.

SBX significantly enhances the signal-to-noise ratio, facilitating clearer differentiation between actual DNA signals and background noise, which is crucial for precise genetic readings.

Roche Diagnostics CEO Matt Sause emphasized that SBX has the potential to transform sequencing speed, efficiency, and flexibility in both research and healthcare settings.

Although still under development and not yet commercially available, Roche expects SBX to be applicable in whole genome and RNA sequencing by 2026.

The development of SBX is a result of Roche's strategic acquisitions of Stratos Genomics in 2020 and Genia Technologies in 2014, which have bolstered their R&D capabilities.