Device built-in

Ion Torrent PGM Personal Genome Machine Introduction

Technical Principle and Core Features

The Ion Torrent PGM (Personal Genome Machine), launched in 2010 by Life Technologies (now Thermo Fisher Scientific), is the world's first semiconductor-based sequencer employing revolutionary non-optical detection technology. Its core principle involves detecting pH changes through ion-sensitive field-effect transistors (ISFETs) on semiconductor chips when DNA polymerase incorporates complementary dNTPs, releasing hydrogen ions. This direct electrical detection eliminates fluorescent labeling and optical systems, significantly simplifying workflows and reducing run times to 2-4 hours.

The system utilizes three interchangeable chips:

• Ion 314 Chip: ~1 million wells, throughput 10-50Mb
• Ion 316 Chip: ~6 million wells, throughput 100-600Mb
• Ion 318 Chip: ~11 million wells, throughput up to 1Gb

Performance Advantages

1. Rapid Operation: Complete workflow in 9 hours (including 3-hour library prep), with shortest run time of 90 minutes, enabling 6-8 runs per day
2. High Accuracy: Hi-Q enzyme optimization achieves 99.97% base accuracy, effectively addressing homopolymer detection challenges
3. Flexible Scalability: Read lengths 35-400bp (extendable to 500bp), supporting studies from microbial genomes to exomes
4. User-Friendly: <45 minutes hands-on time with automated Torrent Suite software for one-click data analysis

Key Applications

1. Microbial Research: Bacterial/viral genome de novo sequencing and typing, 16S rRNA metagenomics
2. Clinical Testing: Cancer somatic mutation screening, genetic disease SNP validation
3. Targeted Sequencing: AmpliSeq-enabled multi-gene panel analysis requiring only 10ng DNA input
4. Agricultural Science: Crop variety identification and molecular marker development

Workflow and Supporting Systems

Standard workflow includes:

1. Library Preparation (3.5 hours): Supports fragmented and AmpliSeq amplicon libraries
2. Emulsion PCR (2 hours): Automated template amplification via Ion OneTouch system
3. Sequencing (2-4 hours): Chip-based semiconductor detection

The optional Ion Chef system enables fully automated library and template preparation, minimizing human error. As the first commercial semiconductor sequencer, PGM has been installed in over 40 countries, with its innovative technology paving the way for high-throughput successors like Ion Proton.