A Smarter, Faster Test: How MicroGenDX’s New Technology Helps Your Health
At MicroGenDX, we believe that when it comes to your health, faster answers mean better outcomes. That’s why we’ve upgraded our testing process with new technology that helps deliver data-driven insights quicker, more reliably, and in a simpler format.
As of July 7th, we’re officially using the Illumina MiSeq i100 Plus for all our standard Next-Generation DNA Sequencing (NGS) tests—setting a more modern standard for clinical diagnostics.
In this blog, we’ll explore what this means for both you and your provider, along with how it will impact your health journey. Some of these improvements come from the feedback we’ve gotten from our providers, hospital partners, and patients like you.
What This Upgrade Does for Your Care
Our team understands that waiting on test results can be stressful. Whether you’re dealing with a chronic condition, a stubborn infection, or just trying to get answers after weeks of symptoms, every day counts.
That’s why this new platform is such a game-changer:
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Next-Day Results After Sample Receipt
Instead of waiting 3–5 days for your results, most tests will now be processed and reported within 24 hours of reaching our lab. That means you and your provider will have answers and next steps 4x quicker than before. -
One Report With All the Answers
We’re ditching our two-report system. Now you’ll get one easy-to-read report that combines your qPCR and NGS results, as both are completed at the same time.
As a quick reminder:- qPCR: quickly identifies specific microbes and 17 types of antibiotic resistance
- NGS: detects over 60,000 pathogenic bacteria and fungi, including mutated variants
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Finding Even the Most Minute Pathogens
Some microbes are present in very small amounts (low abundance) or spread thinly across the sample (low frequency), making them difficult to detect with standard tests—even traditional NGS.
With the increased detective power of the i100 Plus, we can sequence more deeply and reliably than before, helping uncover these harder-to-find pathogens.
The result?
A clearer, more complete picture of the microbes involved in your infection—enabling your provider to make better-informed care decisions. -
Fewer Delays or Re-runs
The enhanced precision and deeper sequencing technology of the i100 Plus produces more reliable findings, reducing the risk of technical errors that may otherwise delay your results. That means a smoother process for us and less uncertainty for you.
Real-World Clinical Impact: When Faster, Deeper Testing Really Matters
Let’s say you’re dealing with a stubborn urinary tract infection (UTI), chronic sinus issue, discolored toenail or a vaginal imbalance that just won’t go away.
It’s annoying and even frustrating when the cause isn’t clear and treatments aren’t working. You may even have made a few visits to the doctor—costing you time, money, and peace of mind. Sometimes those conditions can take a turn for the worse and cause more intense symptoms like fever, worsening fatigue, and persistent pressures or pains that don’t cease. Not to mention the additional side effects of antibiotics on the body.
This is where MicroGenDX with our upgraded technology can make a real difference:
- Results in as little as 24 hours in a single, streamlined report
- Improved detection of the actual microbes involved—even those that are rare, present in low amounts, or don’t grow easily in traditional lab cultures or standard NGS tests
- More complete picture unlocks more targeted treatment options and potentially avoids unnecessary antibiotic usage or trial-and-error approaches
By delivering enhanced clinical clarity, you and your provider can confidently resolve your infection—putting it in the rearview mirror.
Built With Next-Level Precision In Mind
This platform doesn’t just speed NGS up—it also increases the amount of data we get from your sample, helping us detect very small levels of potentially problematic bacteria and fungi.
Why is that important?
- It can help identify the root cause of infections that traditional tests or regular NGS may miss
- It enables us to more accurately match your symptoms with the microbes present
- The greater sequencing depth provides increased confidence in the accuracy of microbial identification, especially for microbes present in low abundance
- It’s especially helpful if you’ve taken antibiotics recently or have a long-term condition that affects your immune system
We’re also excited about the potential for new insights and offerings we can develop with this enhanced, richer data.
What Conditions Does This Apply To?
This new platform is being used across all our NGS tests (KEY-branded products) and major physician and patient testing uses, including:
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Vaginal health conditions (like bacterial vaginosis or yeast infections)
- Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome
- Chronic sinus (sinusitis) or other respiratory infections
- Wound or surgical site infections
- Bone infections
- Other hard-to-diagnose conditions involving tissue, fluids, or sterile body sites
So whether your provider ordered a test through MicroGenDX or you ordered one yourself through this website, rest assured: you’re getting the very latest technology behind your results.
Note: our Rapid-branded tests only use qPCR and do not include NGS.
A Leaner, Greener Diagnostic Machine
By integrating the Illumina i100 Plus, we’ve been able to take meaningful steps towards our goal of more sustainable diagnostics. This upgrade reduces our environmental impact via:
- 85% less packaging waste
- Lower energy use for shipping and cold storage
- Smaller total carbon footprint
Because delivering better care means making better choices for people and the planet.
An Enhanced Experience from Start to Finish
The MicroGenDX team believes empowering patient health starts with delivering trustworthy, high-quality clinical insights.
The Illumina MiSeq i100 Plus helps us make good on that promise by unlocking the answers hidden in your sample—with greater clarity, confidence, and speed than ever before.
If you’re using MicroGenDX as part of your health journey, know this upgrade is working behind the scenes to support you every step of the way.
Thank you for entrusting MicroGenDX to play a part on your healthcare journey.
Questions about your test or how this change might affect you?
Don’t hesitate to reach out. Our customer service team is here to help:
- Email: info@microgendx.com
- Phone: 1-855-208-0019 (M–F 8 AM – 8 PM EST)
