Life Technologies Corporation

Michael Meyer

Melville Davey

Simon Cawley

Marcin Sikora

Kirk Pastorian

A method of estimating a parameter related to sequencing of a sample nucleic acid template includes: receiving signal data relating to nucleotide incorporation events resulting from a series of flows of nucleotides onto an array of wells including (i) a first well containing the sample nucleic acid template and (ii) a plurality of other sample-containing wells; determining sequence information for the sample nucleic acid template using signal data from the first well; and constructing a phase-state model for a set of nucleotide flows that contributed at least in part to the sequence information, wherein the model includes a signal correction parameter that is determined using signal data from the plurality of other sample-containing wells.

Methods and apparatuses for estimating parameters in a predictive model for use in sequencing-by-synthesis

A method of obtaining a more accurate estimate of a signal correction parameter(s) in sequencing-by-synthesis operations, such as incomplete extension rates, carry forward rates, and/or signal droop rates. The sequencing operation produces signal data. A model is constructed to simulate a population of template strands as it undergoes the sequencing process and becomes divided into different phase-states as the sequencing-by-synthesis progresses. For example, the model may be a phase-state model. The output from the model is used to adjust the signal correction parameter(s). For example, the model may be fitted to the signal data. This fitting results in a more accurate estimate of the signal correction parameter(s). In another embodiment, the signal droop rate is modeled as a decaying function and this decaying function is fitted to the signal data to obtain an improved estimate of the signal droop rate.

Growing community of inventors

Ithaca, NY, United States of America

Michael Meyer