A compression scheme for archiving DNA sequencing images

DNA sequencing today produces vast amounts of image data in the final recording process. For example, Solexa's sequencing by synthesis platform allows the outcome of sequencing reactions to be observed simultaneously at a resolution of millions of individual DNA molecules. Recording the outcome after each reaction therefore, generates terabytes of image data in the course experimentation. For posterity reasons some of this image data needs to be preserved for longer term and therefore we need compression schemes with high compression ratios while data fidelity needs to be preserved. This paper describes the design and implementation of a novel compression scheme for archiving DNA Sequencing Images produced during the sequencing by synthesis procedure. The scheme is based on the identification of information points in the sequencing images, and regeneration of the whole image using these, exploiting diffraction characteritics of point sources of light. It provides for a high compression ratioof 1:10 to 1:20, while still maintaining acceptable fidelity of the information.