Genetic sequencing has become an essential tool in a wide range of applications, from scientific research to clinical diagnosis. However, existing technologies still face significant trade-offs between speed, accuracy, cost and flexibility. This is whereSequencing by Expansion ( SBX) technology developed by Roche comes into play. SBX both offers a solution to the challenges in molecular biology and ushers in a new era in sequencing processes.

How Does SBX Technology Work?

Unlike conventional sequencing systems, SBX (Sequencing by Expansion) technology works with a CMOS sensor-based system that synthesizes and reads Xpandomer, a special molecule that represents the DNA sequence, rather than reading it directly.

1. Preparation of Target DNA

– One of the key features of SBX is that DNA is extracted from the sample and used directly for Xpandomer synthesis. The absence of fragmentation and adapter ligation steps in traditional methods makes this technology different.

2. Xpandomer Synthesis

This is where SBX’s key difference begins. The synthesis of Xpandomer, a copy of the DNA sequence, using X-NTPs, the enzyme XP Polymerase and PEM molecules is the heart of SBX. This step allows the DNA information to be encoded into a different molecular form, the Xpandomer.

3. Expansion Process

The physical enlargement of the Xpandomer is a critical step in making signals easier and clearer to read . This chemical expansion in an acidic environment is a key feature from which the technology gets its name.

4. Loading to CMOS Sensor Module

A CMOS sensor consists of about 8 million microwires. This means that millions of molecules can be sequenced simultaneously. The insertion of extended Xpandomer molecules into these microwells is a critical step for reading large amounts of data in parallel. The CMOS sensor detects the signals emitted from the Xpandomer molecules with high sensitivity.

5. Electrical Readout – Sequencing Begins

Detection and recording of electrical signals generated by the interaction of Xpandomers with sensors is the stage where the sequencing process takes place. The high resolution of the CMOS sensor allows for precise signal detection.

6. Data Analysis

The processing of the acquired electrical signals to reconstruct the DNA sequence is the final, information-converting stage of the sequencing process. The potential for real-time data acquisition and high accuracy increases the efficiency of this stage.

Why the Sequencing Platform of the Future?

Although next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies have made great advances in recent years, existing systems still have some fundamental limitations: high cost, long processing times, limited accuracy rates and lack of scalability. The SBX technology developed by Roche stands out with its innovative structure targeting these limitations.

Comparing SBX with the General Characteristics of Other Platforms:

–Competitor I offers high sensitivity with short read lengths but is limited by time-consuming preparation processes and optics-based readout systems.

–Competitor ON has the advantage of long read capacity and portability, but signal-to-noise separation is poor and raw read accuracy is low.

–Competitor P is particularly successful with complex genomes with its HiFi (high-accuracy long read) technology, but the instrument cost and run time are high.

–The competing IO is suitable for targeted analysis, but its pH-based signaling system can be problematic, especially in GC-intensive areas.

SBX combines the advantages of existing sequencing platforms while creating a new alternative in areas where they do not offer a solution. This technology

– He works much more efficiently than Rival I during the preparation process,

– He’s outpacing rival ON in speed ,

– It competes with Rival P in accuracy ,

– Superior flexibility in scalability than competitive IO.

Which Biological Questions Does It Solve?

SBX technology goes beyond the boundaries of conventional sequencing platforms and makes a difference, especially in the following areas:

–Oncology: Rapid and sensitive genetic profiling of tumor samples.

–Rare Diseases: High accuracy for detection of low-frequency variants.

–Neurodegenerative Diseases: Broad analysis from single gene level mutations to complex structural variations.

–Liquid Biopsy: Fast response time for samples containing low amounts of DNA.

–Clinical Research: Efficiency that reduces project time and cost.

SBX technology is an innovation with the capacity to go beyond conventional sequencing platforms and create the genetic analysis infrastructure of the future. Although it will be available in 2026, it has already aroused great interest in scientific circles. Discovering this technology early can take your research one step further.

As Letgen Biotechnology, we closely follow the technologies that remove the barriers to genetic discoveries, and we care about supporting solutions that will take scientists’ research one step further.

👉 If you want to take a look at the 10-year development process and technical details of SBX technology: 🔗 More about SBX Technology

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THE SEQUENCING PLATFORM OF THE FUTURE: ROCHE SEQUENCING BY EXPANSION (SBX)