IonTorrentSystem

IonTorrentSystem refers to a series of next-generation sequencing (NGS) platforms developed by Thermo Fisher Scientific. These systems utilize semiconductor technology to detect the release of hydrogen ions (protons) during DNA sequencing. When a nucleotide is incorporated into a growing DNA strand, a hydrogen ion is released. The Ion Torrent chip contains millions of tiny wells, each designed to hold a single DNA template molecule. As sequencing proceeds, sensors beneath these wells detect the change in pH caused by the released hydrogen ions. This change in pH is converted into an electrical signal, which is then processed to determine the DNA sequence.

The primary advantage of the Ion Torrent system is its speed and cost-effectiveness compared to some traditional sequencing methods. The semiconductor-based detection eliminates the need for optical detection systems, simplifying the workflow and reducing instrument costs. This makes it suitable for a variety of applications, including targeted sequencing, exome sequencing, and microbial genomics. Different versions of the Ion Torrent system exist, offering varying throughput capacities to meet diverse research and clinical needs. The technology has been instrumental in accelerating genomic research by providing rapid and affordable access to DNA sequence data.