Updated Polonator ready for launch!

[ECO]

Genomeweb has a new article about the updated Polonator which sounds like it's ready for launch.

No updates yet to the Polonator website, but I'd check back soon. Dover CTO Kevin McCarthy is a member here, so I'm sure we'll be hearing more any time now.

[rbhuang]

Great! We are looking forward to some nice improvements on this machine.

Kevin, when your new improved Polonator get ready to ship to the outsides of the US?

[Kevin McCarthy]

To answer genseq's question, we are at the same point as when we updated the Polonator web site with the FAQ a few weeks ago. Two groups are working on cyclical ligation approaches, and the progress is promising, but still has a ways to go. For the moment, we can only commit to the 26 or 28 bp read lengths (13+13 or 14+14) that have been demonstrated. We will post regarding any imminent read length advances as soon as they appear ready.

To rbhuang's question, we have not yet finalized the plans for our geographic roll out. In this initial phase of our release, precedence is being given to domestic installations.

Kevin

[rbhuang]

I have ordered a Polonator through Azco Biotech, and the machine will be arriving at the end of this month and will be ready to test early next month. The CEO of Azco has just visited us here and given a quite nice talk on Plolonator technology.

[seqgirl77]

Hi, is there any update on the 48 bp reads? The Polonator website says they expected to have more info in Q3 of 2009...

[rbhuang]

Hi, the polonator we just ordered is now on its way to my place, and we would not be able to tell anything until the machine arrives and installed.

[Kevin McCarthy]

seqgirl77: We have several approaches to performing cyclical ligation, but none are yet robust enough to release. SBS (polymerase) is another route, but again, not yet ready for release. One item is that we now have an in-depth Polonator Operator's Manual and User Guide. It is a bit too big for email, but as soon as I return from travel I will get it up on the web site. In the meantime, any interested parties can email me, and I can use our file transfer service.

Kevin

[CellsDividing]

Feedback?

Has anyone used one of these yet? What is the price? Is there any public data out there yet?

[Kevin McCarthy]

Yes, we have over a dozen Polonators in the field. In some cases users are still learning how to use them (library prep alone is a bit complex); in other cases, they are in successful production. We will be making a major upgrade to the web site shortly, with a downloadable 150 page Polonator Operator's Manual and User Guide, detailed breakdowns of our very low operating cost, sample data, etc. In the meantime, feel free to contact me directly, using the Contact Tab on the current web site.

Kevin McCarthy