Chemistry and Imaging on the NovaSeq X Series Instruments

The NovaSeq X Series is powered by XLEAP-SBS chemistry, a faster, higher quality, and more robust update to proven Illumina sequencing by synthesis (SBS) chemistry.

Chemistry

The NovaSeq X Series uses two-color chemistry, which allows for very fast imaging of the flow cell using blue and green channels at every sequencing cycle.

  • Clusters with intensity in green only: T

  • Clusters with intensity in blue only: A

  • Clusters with intensity in both channels: C

  • Clusters with no intensity/dark: G

Please note the following differences between the NovaSeq X Series and other two-channel Illumina platforms:

  • The NovaSeq 6000, NextSeq 500/550, and MiniSeq: A channel uses combined Red and Green, and the C channel uses Red only.

  • The NextSeq 1000/2000 (Standard Reagents): A channel uses combined Blue and Green, and the C channel uses Blue only.

  • The NextSeq 1000/2000 (XLEAP Reagents): C channel uses combined Blue and Green, and the A channel uses Blue only.

1.5B Flow Cell Layout

There are 2 swaths per surface (2 top and 2 bottom), 2 surfaces per lane, and 70 tiles per swath for a total of 560 tiles imaged.

10B Flow Cell Layout There are2 swaths per each surface (2 top and 2 bottom), 2 surfaces per lane, and 98 tiles per swath for a total of 3136 tiles imaged.

25B Flow Cell Layout

There are 4 swaths per each surface (4 top and 4 bottom), 2 surfaces per lane, and 98 tiles per swath for a total of 6272 tiles imaged.

For any feedback or questions regarding this article (Illumina Knowledge Article #7970), contact Illumina Technical Support [email protected].

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