PacBio Vega

Vega is a sequencer released by Pacific Biosciences in January 2025. It is based on Single Molecule Real Time (SMRT) Sequencing.

PacBio Vega
Image of Vega: https://www.pacb.com/wp-content/uploads/Featured-image_Vega_1200x630.png by PacBio

Specifications

Manufacturer Pacific Biosciences
Technology Single Molecule Real Time (SMRT) Sequencing
Release date January 2025
Price [2] $169,000
MSRP as of March 2025
Type Benchtop
Weight 125.2 Kg
Supports real-time analysis No
Demultiplexing support Yes
File format BAM
Read length PacBio Vega: 1000bp to 20000bp
Run time PacBio Vega: 12 to 24 hours
Reagent cost per Gb [1] PacBio Vega: Unavailable
Data quality [3] PacBio Vega: 95% Q30+ bases
Maximum output per run (Gb)[4] PacBio Vega: 60.00
Primary error type [5] Indels
Notes about the specifications

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Maximum output: This is the maximum output of a full instrument run. This number is based on manufacturer’s specifications and optimizations.
  5. 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 PacBio Vega

The PacBio Vega is a benchtop long-read sequencing platform designed to address the increasing demand for cost-effective, long-read sequencing applications for individual labs. It is positioned to serve researchers requiring sequencing for applications like epigenetic studies, structural variant analysis, and comprehensive transcriptome studies. Although the Revio remains the current flagship platform for PacBio due to its incorporation by multiple sequencing facilities and its higher throughput, the Vega serves an important role in PacBio’s portfolio, as it offers the same high-accuracy HiFi reads as the Revio in a more compact form with a lower upfront cost.

Key Innovations

The core innovations of the PacBio Vega lie in its more cost-effective and compact form specifically optimized for benchtop operation compared to the PacBio Revio. These changes were made to open the door for many smaller individual labs to access PacBio HiFi data. Key improvements include:

  • Lower cost: The upfront price of the Vega is $169,000, which is approximately 4 times cheaper than the Revio, which costs $779,000. There is also an option to purchase just access to a Vega for $79,000, which is approximately 10 times more cost-effective than purchasing the Revio.
  • Reduced footprint: When compared to the large 465 kg Revio that is the height of a person at 174.5 cm tall, the Vega weighs 125 kb and is only 76.8 cm tall. This intentional change was made in order to optimize it for benchtop work in individual labs.

Features and Technologies

PacBio Vega uses the same Single Molecule, Real-Time (SMRT) sequencing technology, which uses Zero-Mode Waveguides (ZMWs) to confine individual polymerase molecules and monitor nucleotide incorporation in real time. This process enables the generation of long reads with high accuracy.

  • SMRT Technology: The Vega uses a SMRT cell containing millions of ZMWs, where single molecules of DNA are immobilized using the primers and polymerase attached during library prep. As the polymerase incorporates each fluorescently-labeled nucleotide, light is emitted, and this information is captured in real time to identify the incorporated base.
  • HiFi Reads and Accuracy: For high-accuracy HiFi reads, Circular Consensus Sequencing (CCS) mode involves sequencing the same circularized DNA template multiple times, enabling error correction and resulting in reads with >99% accuracy. Read lengths can vary depending on library preparation and target fragment size, with mean HiFi read lengths commonly exceeding 10 kb.

Intended Uses and Specific Applications

PacBio Vega is well-suited for applications that require accurate and long-read capabilities, including:

  • Population Genomics: Resolving complex genomic variations in large populations.
  • Structural Variant Analysis: Detecting and characterizing large structural variations, such as insertions, deletions, duplications, and translocations.
  • Full-Length Transcriptome Sequencing (Iso-Seq): Generating full-length transcript isoforms, enabling comprehensive gene expression analysis.
  • Full Length Amplicon Sequencing (16S): Resolving complex microbial communities by generating long reads that span the entire amplicon-of-interest.
  • Methylation Sequencing: Directly detecting 5-methylcytosine (5mC) at CpG sites in native DNA without requiring bisulfite treatment.

Suitable library prep kits includes the HiFi prep and SMRTbell prep kits.

Comparison with Competing Instruments

  • PacBio Revio: Although they both offer similar accuracy and runtime, the Revio offers significantly higher throughput (90 Gb vs. 60 Gb) and a lower cost per run ($995 vs. $1,100) compared to the Vega. However, the Vega has a significantly lower upfront instrument cost and a much more compact form suitable for benchtop operation.
  • Oxford Nanopore GridION: The GridION provides ultra-long reads and real-time sequencing capabilities, allowing researchers to stop the run once they’ve received the necessary data. While GridION's upfront cost ($58,800) is lower than the Vega ($169,000), its raw read accuracy is generally lower, and its throughput per flow cell is lower than Vega's output.

Special Considerations

Researchers considering the PacBio Vega should weigh the following factors:

  • The Vega is a great option for small to medium labs who need long-read and accurate sequencing, but where upfront instrument cost and space are significant considerations
  • For large players in the sequencing space who need high-throughput PacBio sequencing, the Vega may not be the best option over time, as the Revio is more suitable here.

Need sequencing done on a PacBio Vega 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 March 28, 2025 and based on the spec sheets published by the manufacturer.