The Sequencing Buyer's Guide: 8th Edition

Buying a new sequencing platform in 2026 is not a trivial matter, but it is an exciting one. There has never been more choice, and with cost decreasing while accuracy continues to improve, next generation sequencing is becoming increasingly accessible.  

We are pleased to announce the launch of the latest edition of the Sequencing Buyer’s Guide, an intelligence-led report that is unique compared to others on the market. 

It is carefully curated with the guidance and insights of our expert contributors, who provide knowledge that can’t be found anywhere else, AI-derived or otherwise. This is complemented by information on commercially available platforms and machines, and those that are yet to come to market. Our contributors have provided support on the capabilities and considerations for different technologies through their own experiences, and discussions on how the commercial sequencing landscape may yet develop, helping you to make informed purchasing decisions. 

Chapter list:   

Chapter 1: Preparing libraries for sequencing 

At the start of any sequencing workflow, platform-appropriate libraries must be generated. In this chapter, we present the vast range of commercial options that are available for producing DNA or RNA libraries for short and long read platforms, alongside helpful advice on how to manage difficult samples, such as those stored in FFPE. 

Chapter 2: Short read sequencing 

Short read sequencing continues to dominate the sequencing landscape, although the options and the competition are ever increasing. In this chapter you will find the latest specifications for short read sequencers in a helpful side-by-side format. We also provide expert commentaries on the current sequencing landscape as we discuss who to keep your eye on, and how to choose a new platform or update your existing one. 

Chapter 3: Long read sequencing 

Long read sequencing is more popular than ever, providing rich information and demonstrating its worth in population-scale studies. In this chapter you will find the latest specifications for long read sequencers in a helpful side-by-side format. We also provide examples of how long read sequencing is being used in the field, from pangenomics to metagenomics, and discuss why long read technology has got everyone excited, in interviews with experts using these platforms. 

Chapter 4: Defying the short vs long read convention 

New technologies are pushing the definition of short and long reads, while others are performing genomic analysis without NGS. In this chapter, we discuss the latest technology developments with expert contributor commentaries, explore the challenges and benefits of hybrid sequencing, and describe non-NGS methods for identification of structural variants. 

Chapter 5: Automation 

Automation is essential for increasing throughput and reducing the demand on scientific personnel. In this chapter we will outline a range of automation companies and their platforms, that can turn complicated workflows into efficient, scalable processes. 

Chapter 6: Outsourcing 

Next generation sequencing requires significant investment in time, money and expertise. One option to alleviate this pressure is to outsource sequencing experiments. In this chapter, we showcase a range of outsourcing options and hear the experiences of experts from sequencing cores and facilities about why and when you should opt for outsourcing.  

Chapter 7: The role of sequencing in the multimodal era 

As we move ever further into the multimodal era, the role of sequencing has never been more important. In these next few pages, we explore multimodal machines that offer several functionalities beyond sequencing, kits for obtaining methylation data from your sequencing runs, alongside case studies and expert interviews. Here, we demonstrate the purpose of genomics as an anchor that supports other modalities, such as non-genetic lifestyle data for disease prediction, and medical imaging for diagnosis in radiogenomics. 

Chapter 8: Next-generation protein sequencing 

There is excitement in the proteomics field as single molecule sequencing is moving ever closer to a reality. In this chapter we will outline what products are already in the market and hear about the fantastic research that is pushing the boundaries of what is possible, from bespoke nanopores and AI-assisted deconvolution, to translation of proteins back to nucleic acids for NGS readouts. 

Chapter 9: Data management workflows and solutions 

As sequencing costs fall and speeds rise, data management has become the new bottleneck. In this chapter, we explore commercial solutions for managing the wealth of data that is generated from sequencing experiments, such as laboratory information management systems and storage options for a range of needs. We will also provide expert advice on how to manage large volumes of sequencing data and outline the latest developments in DNA-based storage, as binary is converted back into bases. 

We hope that you enjoy reading this edition of the Sequencing Buyer’s Guide and you find it a helpful resource.