Oxford Nanopore Flongle

Published on April 30, 2024

Flongle is a sequencer released by Oxford Nanopore Technologies in March 2019. It is based on Nanopore Sequencing.

Oxford Nanopore Flongle
Image of Flongle: https://nanoporetech.com/products/sequence/flongle by Oxford Nanopore

Flongle is available in the following models:

Flongle with kit 10/11 chemistry
Flongle with kit 12 chemistry
Flongle with kit 14 chemistry

Specifications

Manufacturer	Oxford Nanopore Technologies
Technology	Nanopore Sequencing
Release date	March 2019
Price [2]	$90 MSRP as of March 2024
Type	Field
Weight	0.0 Kg
Supports real-time analysis	Yes
Demultiplexing support	Yes
File format	FAST5
Read length	Oxford Nanopore Flongle with kit 10/11 chemistry: typically 6-20 Kbp Oxford Nanopore Flongle with kit 12 chemistry: typically 6-20 Kbp Oxford Nanopore Flongle with kit 14 chemistry: typically 6-20 Kbp
Run time	Oxford Nanopore Flongle with kit 10/11 chemistry: Up to 16 hours Oxford Nanopore Flongle with kit 12 chemistry: Up to 16 hours Oxford Nanopore Flongle with kit 14 chemistry: Up to 16 hours
Reagent cost per Gb [1]	Oxford Nanopore Flongle with kit 10/11 chemistry: Unavailable Oxford Nanopore Flongle with kit 12 chemistry: Unavailable Oxford Nanopore Flongle with kit 14 chemistry: Unavailable
Data quality [3]	Oxford Nanopore Flongle with kit 10/11 chemistry: Oxford Nanopore Flongle with kit 12 chemistry: Oxford Nanopore Flongle with kit 14 chemistry: > Q20 (99%) for Simplex reads, ~Q30 (99.9%) for Duplex reads
Maximum output per run (Gb)[4]	Oxford Nanopore Flongle with kit 10/11 chemistry: 2.60 Oxford Nanopore Flongle with kit 12 chemistry: 2.60 Oxford Nanopore Flongle with kit 14 chemistry: 2.60
Primary error type [5]	Indels

Notes about the specifications

Cost per Gb: The cost per Gb is calculated by dividing the costs of sequencing reagents by the manufacturer’s maximum output per run. For these runs, the manufacturer may have included their own controls and used specific library preparation kits. Actual performance may vary based on sample and library type and quality, loading concentration, and other experimental factors. The sequencing reagent costs used for calculations do not include any other costs associated with preparing the samples or running the instrument, including reagents used for extraction, quality control or library preparation, labor, electricity, lab consumables, storage, etc. Performance metrics and prices are subject to change.
Price: The final price may be different depending on the supplier, the region and any discounts provided through bulk orders or negotiation. Other factors that may influence the final price are warranty options, maintenance contracts, possible trade-ins of older instruments, and any financing arrangements chosen.
Data quality: This is the maximum data quality that the instrument can offer based on manufacturer’s specifications and optimizations. The quality of a specific run will depend on multiple factors, including sample quality, sample quantity, library prep protocol, run conditions, etc.
Maximum output: This is the maximum output of a full instrument run. This number is based on manufacturer’s specifications and optimizations.
Primary error type: This is the most common type of error that may occur due to sequencing. Other types of error may occur as well.

More about the Flongle

The Flongle, an adapter for the MinION or GridION developed by Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) and released in 2019, caters to a specific niche within the next-generation sequencing (NGS) market: researchers requiring smaller-scale sequencing projects with rapid turnaround times. The Flongle is a single-use consumable designed for targeted sequencing applications. While ONT offers more powerful sequencers like PromethION for high-throughput projects, Flongle provides a more accessible and budget-friendly alternative for smaller studies.

Key Innovations

The Flongle's core innovation lies in its size and design. Compared to the standard GridION flow cell with 512 nanopore channels, the Flongle offers a more manageable 126 channels. This reduction translates to lower reagent costs and a smaller data output – typically around 1 gigabase (Gb) with a max of 2.6 Gb per run. However, this trade-off is balanced by significant advantages:

Faster turnaround times: Flongle experiments can be completed in as little as ten minutes for library preparation and generate real-time data sequencing, facilitating quicker results.
Reduced cost per sample: The smaller size translates to a lower price point per flow cell compared to GridION flow cell. This is particularly beneficial for researchers with limited budgets or those only requiring data for a small number of samples.
Portability: The Flongle is compatible with portable sequencers like MinION, enabling sequencing in field settings or resource-limited environments.

Features and Technologies

The Flongle utilizes the same core nanopore sequencing technology as other ONT sequencers. DNA or RNA strands are passed through protein nanopores, and the disruptions in ionic current are measured to determine the sequence of bases. However, the Flongle streamlines the process by using a disposable flow cell, eliminating the need for complex cleaning and calibration procedures required with reusable chips.

The data quality metrics for Flongle are comparable to other ONT sequencers. However, it's important to consider that the smaller data output of Flongle may limit its suitability for applications requiring high depth of coverage.

Intended Uses and Specific Applications

Flongle excels in targeted sequencing applications where researchers only need to sequence specific regions of the genome or transcriptome. Here are some examples:

Amplicon or Targeted Sequencing: Flongle is well-suited for targeted amplification and sequencing of specific genes or genetic regions. This is useful for applications like targeted variant discovery, genotyping, and amplicon resequencing. A suitable library prep kit is the Nanopore 16S Barcoding Kit.
Metagenomics for specific organisms: Due to its ability to handle longer reads, Flongle can be useful for targeted metagenomic studies where researchers are interested in specific microbial populations within a sample. A suitable library prep kit is the Nanopore Ligation Sequencing Kit.

Comparison with Competing Instruments

PacBio Sequel II: The Sequel II offers significantly higher data output (up to 30 Gb per run) and superior base accuracy (>99%) compared to the Flongle. However, Flongle is considerably cheaper, is portable, much faster, and can offer real-time analysis.
Oxford Nanopore MinION: The MinION is another portable nanopore sequencer from ONT. Compared to the Flongle, the MinION offers similar portability and accuracy but with higher output and a higher upfront instrument cost.

Special Considerations

The Flongle is a valuable tool for researchers considering the following factors in their project design:

Project scope and budget: For projects with a defined target for sequencing (e.g., specific genes or amplicons) and limited budget, Flongle's cost-effectiveness and smaller data output are ideal.
Turnaround time: Flongle's rapid turnaround times and real-time analysis are beneficial for studies requiring fast results.
Sample size: Flongle is well-suited for sequencing a small number of samples.

Need sequencing done on a Oxford Nanopore Flongle or a specific instrument? Tell us about your project here, and we'll connect you with a qualified provider.

This information on this page is up-to-date as of April 30, 2024 and based on the spec sheets published by the manufacturer.