Plant Synbio Australia – University of Western Australia has launched a new whole plasmid sequencing service to make quality assurance of genetic constructs faster, more accessible and more affordable for researchers across Australia.
Plasmids are fundamental tools in synthetic biology and genetic engineering, but confirming that these constructs are correct is an essential step in research and biomanufacturing. Whole plasmid sequencing has become a gold standard for verifying genetic constructs, yet commercial services can cost around $20 per sample.
Leveraging Illumina and nanopore sequencing capabilities already established at PSBA-UWA, the new weekly service aims to provide high-quality whole plasmid sequencing for $5–$10 per sample, supporting researchers at UWA, other PSBA nodes and across the broader Australian research sector.
The service is delivered in collaboration with the Genomics WA facility and draws on PSBA-UWA’s sequencing infrastructure, technical expertise and personnel.
The service successfully launched with a dedicated sample submission portal, with the first sequencing run completed within its first week and three clients already accessing the service.
Strong early uptake and encouraging price comparisons demonstrate clear demand for the new capability. The team is now focused on scaling the service to accommodate higher throughput and a growing client base, helping strengthen access to essential synthetic biology infrastructure across Australia.