# Oxford Nanopore Sequencer 3D Model

How the PromethION 24 DNA sequencer reads DNA through nanopores in its flow cells, then turns the electrical signals into the letters A, C, G and T\.

By cosmic\-heron\-269b2d6c

Topic: Nature & Biology

[Open the interactive Jig](https://ask.jig.com/j/EUeWujYWBKNC)

## Transcript

### 1. Meet the PromethION 24

This is a DNA sequencer made by Oxford Nanopore\. It reads the order of the letters in DNA, the instructions inside every living thing\. It comes as two boxes that work together: a wide sequencing unit and a tall compute unit\.

Drag anywhere to turn the model and look around\.

### 2. The sequencing unit

The low black box is the sequencing unit\. It is 590 mm wide, 190 mm high and 430 mm deep, and it weighs 23 kg\.

23 kg is the weight limit for a checked suitcase on many airlines\.

### 3. The compute unit

The tall box is the compute unit, a powerful computer standing on its narrow edge\. It measures 178 mm wide, 440 mm high and 470 mm deep, and weighs 26 kg\. The silver mesh panels are vents that let cooling air through\.

Inside are four graphics processors \(GPUs\) and 60 terabytes of storage\.

### 4. Room for 24 flow cells

Under the three steel lids are three rows of eight slots, lettered A to H\. Each slot holds a flow cell, the cartridge where the DNA sample goes\. Click a lid to open or close it\.

Every slot can run on its own, so up to 24 flow cells can be read at once\.

### 5. Load a flow cell

A flow cell slides into slot A of the front row\. When it is seated, a small blue light glows beside the slot\. Press the button to load one\.

The flow cell shape here is simplified\.

### 6. Reading DNA through a tiny hole

Inside each flow cell is a thin membrane full of tiny holes called nanopores\. An electric current flows through each hole\. As a DNA strand slips through, each letter changes the current in its own way\.

This model is hugely magnified: a real nanopore is only a few billionths of a metre across\.

### 7. From wiggles to letters

The current wiggles travel as an electrical signal to the compute unit\. Its processors turn them into the letters A, C, G and T while the run is still going\. One run can last about three days\.

A single read can be from 20 letters to more than 4 million letters long\.

### 8. Two boxes, one DNA reader

Together the two units weigh 49 kg and fit on one lab bench\. The sequencing unit measures the DNA, and the compute unit turns its signals into readable code\. Scientists use machines like this to study viruses, plants, animals and people\.

Drag to turn the model, or click a lid to peek inside\.