How much does NGS cost?

The cost of Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) is not a single, fixed figure but rather a dynamic range influenced by various factors, with certain components having seen significant price reductions over time. While the reagent cost for sequencing a human genome famously reached $1,000, the overall price can vary significantly depending on the scope and services involved.

Understanding NGS Cost Components

NGS costs are multifaceted and typically include more than just the raw sequencing. Key components often encompass:

• Sequencing Reagents: These are the chemical kits and materials essential for the sequencing reaction itself. Historically, the per-genome cost for these reagents dropped to a landmark $1,000, making large-scale genomic studies more feasible.
• Sample Preparation: This includes DNA/RNA extraction, quality control, library preparation (fragmenting DNA/RNA, adding adaptors), and enrichment steps (e.g., for exome sequencing).
• Sequencing Run: The actual operation of the sequencing instrument. This involves instrument amortization, maintenance, and consumables.
• Bioinformatics Analysis: Processing the raw sequencing data, aligning reads to a reference genome, variant calling, annotation, and downstream interpretation. This can be a substantial part of the total cost.
• Labor and Infrastructure: Personnel costs for laboratory work, data analysis, and the overheads associated with maintaining a high-throughput sequencing facility.

Factors Influencing NGS Prices

The final price tag for an NGS project is highly dependent on several variables:

• Type of Sequencing:
  • Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS): Sequencing the entire genome is typically the most expensive.
  • Whole Exome Sequencing (WES): Focusing only on protein-coding regions is less expensive than WGS.
  • Targeted Panels: Sequencing specific genes or regions relevant to a particular disease or research question is the most cost-effective per sample.
  • RNA Sequencing (RNA-Seq): Measures gene expression and involves different sample preparation and analysis.
• Sequencing Depth (Coverage): Higher coverage (reading each base multiple times) provides more reliable data but increases costs. For clinical applications, higher depth is often required.
• Number of Samples: Economies of scale apply. Sequencing multiple samples in a single batch can significantly reduce the per-sample cost.
• Service Provider: Different service providers or in-house facilities have varying pricing models, expertise, and turnaround times.
• Level of Analysis: Basic data processing is cheaper than extensive bioinformatics analysis, custom reports, or clinical interpretation.

The Evolution of Sequencing Costs

The field of NGS has seen a dramatic decrease in costs over the past two decades. The groundbreaking achievement of the $1,000 genome primarily referred to the cost of sequencing reagents for a human genome. This initial milestone, though significant, was not the end of the journey. The continuous innovation in sequencing technologies and methodologies is driving costs even lower, with aspirations and developments moving towards a "sub $100 genome" for reagent costs. This ongoing race for affordability makes NGS increasingly accessible for broader research, clinical, and even consumer applications.

Typical Cost Ranges (Illustrative)

It's challenging to give an exact current universal price, but here's an illustrative range for common human sequencing types, keeping in mind that these are approximate and subject to change based on providers and specific project requirements.

Note: The $1,000 genome figure specifically applies to the cost of sequencing reagents for a whole human genome, which is a major component but not the sole cost of a full NGS project.

In summary, while the reagent cost for sequencing a human genome has historically reached $1,000 and is trending even lower, the overall cost of NGS depends on the specific type of sequencing, depth, number of samples, and the extent of data analysis required.