De novoGenome Sequencing and Annotation of a Thermophilic Cyanobacterium using the Oxford Nanopore Technologies Sequencing Platform

In this project the MinION DNA sequencing platform was tested and introduced. It was proven that Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) is not restricted to core facilities, but can be implemented in a standard laboratory setting. This makes the MinION suitable for decentralized strain screening, development and quality monitoring applications in the biotechnology industry. Over the course of the MinION early Access Program, the device was used to sequence a novel extremophile cyanobacteria candidate isolated from a hot spring at Klein Barmen, Namibia. The de novo assembly of the microorganism genome resulted in one bacterial chromosome without gaps. Further analysis showed, that significant variation/heterogeneity between related genomes is present. This underlines the novel character of the sequenced genome.