Illumina turns up the power with new research platform
As multiomic datasets grow rapidly in size and complexity, researchers need easy-to-use tools to integrate information across transcriptomics, genomics, proteomics, epigenetics, and more, said San Diego-based Illumina.
It adds that Connected Multiomics addresses this challenge by bringing multiomic data together in a single platform - reducing time, cost and complexity, enabling scientists to accelerate discovery and advance precision medicine.
Connected Multiomics officially launched last month following a year of valuable input from 40 early access users. At the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical School, oncology researchers used the technology to uncover new insights on melanoma through analysis of proteomic data.
Kasey Couts, co-director of the CU Center for Rare Melanomas said: "I'm not a programmer but the software is incredibly user-friendly. I don't need an extensive bioinformatics background to use it, which helps my team focus on the biological insights rather than bioinformatics challenges."
"Illumina Connected Multiomics exemplifies how we're transforming the user experience across our software portfolio," said Rami Mehio, senior vice president and general manager of BioInsight at Illumina. "We are putting the multiomic pieces together on a single platform that is approachable for biologists and powerful for bioinformaticians so they can focus on discovery, not infrastructure."
Connected Multiomics can aggregate thousands of multiomic samples from Illumina and third-party assays in a single analysis. It provides reproducible results and interactive multiomic visualisations in one integrated, cloud-based analysis environment using industry standard statistical methods and integrated DRAGEN secondary analysis.
Additionally, AI-enabled variant interpretation, using PrimateAI and PromoterAI, removes background mutations and points to the most biologically meaningful multiomic signals earlier in the analysis process. AI capabilities will continue to be added to the software.
Fundamental to the solution are the multimodal capabilities. Both single cell and spatial analysis on Connected Multiomics provide differential expression, marker gene identification, and cell typing. For spatial transcriptomics, Connected Multiomics overlays gene expression data on tissue imagery to provide rich spatial context for biological insights.
Illumina boasts that it is building the most comprehensive multiomic solutions in the industry, anchored on its world-class sequencing platforms for unmatched quality and scale. For research and pharma innovators, these solutions unlock the next wave of precision health discovery, accelerating breakthroughs in biology and drug development.
"Connected Multiomics is an accelerant – breaking down bioinformatic barriers to create a more complete picture of our biology," added Mehio. "We're excited to see what our customers can accomplish when they can unlock deeper biology with a scalable multiomic workflow."
Illumina is regarded as a global leader in DNA sequencing and array-based technologies, serving customers in the research, clinical, and applied markets. Its products are used for applications in the life sciences, oncology, reproductive health, agriculture and other emerging segments.