Evaluation of smaller, single-use, flow cell for rapid and cost-effective detection and identification of tree fruit viruses using MinION sequencer

Funding period: 2023-2024

Lead: Harvinder Bennypaul

Total GRDI funding: $23,500

CFIA is responsible for testing virus and virus-like diseases of fruit trees, grapevines and small fruits. Traditionally, serological and molecular tests and field-based bioassays have been employed for testing. We have recently optimized a workflow, based on Oxford Nanopore Technology's (ONT) MinION sequencing platform which gives equivalent or better results and is much quicker than currently used testing regimen. To reduce the per sample cost and enhance the diagnostic laboratory's flexibility to process even a single sample, sequencing material input amount was optimized for ONT's flongle flow cell to get maximum sequence data from a run for detection of virus and viroids.