mNGS:Pioneering a New Era in Pathogen Detection

In the rapidly advancing field of medical science, pathogen detection technologies are also undergoing continuous innovation. Among them, metagenomics next-generation sequencing (mNGS) has emerged as a shining star in the field of pathogen detection with its unique advantages.  

I.  The Principle of mNGS

mNGS is a high-throughput sequencing technology that does not require the cultivation of microorganisms in samples. Instead, it directly extracts all DNA or RNA from the sample and uses next-generation sequencing platforms to obtain the genomic sequence data of all microorganisms present. Subsequently, through bioinformatics analysis, these sequences are compared with known microbial genome databases to identify the types and abundance of microorganisms in the sample.  This technology can detect all microorganisms in a sample at once, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, covering an extremely wide range.  

II.  The Advantages of mNGS

Compared with traditional microbial detection methods, mNGS has significant advantages. Traditional methods such as culture and PCR often require a longer time and are less effective in detecting certain microorganisms that are difficult to culture or present in low abundance. In contrast, mNGS does not require pre-judgment of the pathogen type and can detect all microorganisms in a sample without bias, greatly improving the sensitivity and accuracy of detection. Moreover, mNGS can also obtain information on pathogen resistance mutations and virulence genes, providing precise guidance for clinical medication.  

III.  The Detection Process of mNGS

The detection process of mNGS mainly includes the following steps:sample collection and processing, nucleic acid extraction, library construction, high-throughput sequencing, and data analysis and report interpretation. Samples can be obtained from patients’blood, urine, respiratory secretions, and other sources.  After extracting the total DNA or RNA from the sample using physical or chemical methods, a library suitable for sequencing is constructed. The next-generation sequencing platform then generates a large number of short sequence data. Finally, through bioinformatics analysis, the sequencing results are quality-controlled, sequence-aligned, and annotated to determine the types of microorganisms in the sample.  

IV.  Clinical Applications of mNGS

mNGS has a broad application prospect in the clinical diagnosis of infectious diseases. It can cover a variety of disease types, including central nervous system infections, bloodstream infections, severe pneumonia, abscesses, and infectious diarrhea. For example, in the diagnosis of pulmonary infections, mNGS can quickly and accurately identify pathogens, helping doctors to adjust treatment plans in a timely manner.  Moreover, mNGS also performs well in detecting mixed infections and rare pathogens, providing strong support for clinical diagnosis.  

V.  Future Outlook for mNGS

With the continuous progress of sequencing technologies and the reduction in costs, the application scope of mNGS will further expand. In the future, mNGS is expected to become a routine method for the diagnosis of clinical infectious diseases, providing stronger guarantees for precise patient treatment. At the same time, as databases continue to improve and analysis methods are optimized, the accuracy and efficiency of mNGS detection will also continue to increase.  

mNGS technology, with its powerful detection capabilities and broad application prospects, is bringing a revolution to pathogen detection. It can not only quickly and accurately identify pathogens but also provide precise guidance for clinical treatment, injecting new vitality into the development of human health.  

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We have rich experience in nucleic acid extraction and purification, protein purification, cell separation, chemiluminescence, and other technical fields.

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