Revio to Power Research in Male Infertility and Rare Disease at Münster University Hospital

Highly Accurate Long-Read Sequencing Data from Revio will Support Germany’s National Genome Initiative and Provide Data to the International Male Infertility Consortium

MENLO PARK, Calif., Sept. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PacBio (NASDAQ: PACB), a leading developer of high-quality, highly accurate sequencing solutions, today announced a collaboration with the University Hospital of Münster, to use long-read whole genome sequencing to significantly advance male infertility and rare disease research. By deploying PacBio’s Revio HiFi sequencing system, researchers at Münster will obtain highly accurate genomic data essential for addressing complex genetic issues associated with male infertility, including the Y chromosome.

The announcement follows the opening of the University’s Center of Medical Genetics, which will foster Münster’s role in various fields of genetics including familial breast and ovarian cancer and reproductive genetics. Münster’s Medical Center is the first in Germany to use long-read whole genome sequencing in a translational research and diagnostic setting and owns the first Revio funded by the German healthcare system. The data generated by the Revio will contribute to Germany’s GenomeDE Modellvorhaben project to integrate genomic medicine into standard patient care. The results of this study will also extend beyond Germany, supporting research at the International Male Infertility Genomics Consortium, which has connections with 8 other countries.

“The Revio system will be pivotal in furthering the University of Münster as a leader in medical genetics. Its ability to navigate complex genetic landscapes, particularly in studying the Y chromosome’s role in male infertility, will provide critical insights that were previously unattainable,” said Professor Tüttelmann, Director of The Center of Medical Genetics, University of Münster. “The male Y chromosome has until recently been a mystery due to its repetitive regions and challenging structural variants. The exceptional accuracy and depth of Revio will allow us to begin unravelling the causes of male infertility. Such insight is invaluable for aging European populations, where fewer children are being born and more pressure is being put on health systems.”