The first Puerto Rico Sequencing Symposium brought together researchers and educators to explore next-generation technology and its applications in health, biotechnology, agriculture, and STEM education.
San Juan, Puerto Rico. September 1, 2026 – Puerto Rico took a step forward in strengthening its genomics capacity—the branch of science that studies an organism's complete set of DNA to better understand how it functions, evolves, and relates to health and disease. Arecibo C3, in collaboration with the Fideicomiso para Ciencia, Tecnología e Investigación de Puerto Rico and other local and international scientific and higher education institutions, held the Puerto Rico Sequencing Symposium: Advancing Genomics with Oxford Nanopore, the Island's first symposium dedicated to Oxford Nanopore sequencing, one of the world's most innovative genomic sequencing technologies.
The event brought together approximately 65 researchers, educators, sequencing experts, and representatives from scientific and academic institutions at the Innovation Center of the Fideicomiso para Ciencia, Tecnología e Investigación, in San Juan, reflecting the growing interest among Puerto Rico's research and education communities in Oxford Nanopore sequencing and its potential applications.
"The strong turnout, and the fact that we reached full capacity, shows the growing interest and enthusiasm around the possibilities this technology offers in Puerto Rico," said Jason Williams, principal investigator at Arecibo C3 and Assistant Director of the DNA Learning Center at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in New York.
The symposium gave participants hands-on experience with next-generation sequencing technology that allows researchers to analyze DNA in real time and apply genomic tools across a wide and growing range of fields. The program included presentations from researchers using nanopore sequencing, live laboratory and bioinformatics demonstrations, a scientific poster session, networking opportunities, and a tour of the Fideicomiso's facilities.
The event also highlighted the reach of AC3's efforts to build capacity in genomics. Approximately one-third of the symposium's participants had previously taken part in trainings offered by AC3, reflecting the organization's ongoing efforts to develop local knowledge and expertise, as well as to create opportunities for researchers and educators to incorporate advanced sequencing technologies into their work and classrooms.
"Puerto Rico has the scientific talent and institutional partners needed to integrate advanced sequencing as a routine tool in biomedical research and biomanufacturing. This symposium shows that Puerto Rico is strengthening its genomics capacity, not only through technology, but also through training, collaboration, and workforce development. Arecibo C3 is proud to help lead this effort as part of its mission to expand STEM opportunities and connect Puerto Rico's students, teachers, and researchers with the technologies shaping the future," Williams added.
The symposium's presentations highlighted the wide-ranging potential of nanopore sequencing for Puerto Rico, including applications in biotechnology, health, agriculture, environmental science, microorganism identification, pathogen surveillance, human genetics research, quality control, and biomanufacturing. Participants also learned about applications that demonstrated the value of genomic sequencing during critical public health situations, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
The expansion of sequencing capacity in Puerto Rico also continues to advance. The University of Puerto Rico's Medical Sciences Campus is expected to acquire the highest-capacity nanopore sequencer currently available on the Island, which will create new opportunities for advanced genomics applications in health and biomedical research. Greater access to this technology has the potential to significantly expand Puerto Rico's capacity to conduct genomic research and apply sequencing tools to health-related challenges.
"This symposium represents a unique opportunity to strengthen Puerto Rico's scientific capacity by connecting our researchers, educators, and students with a next-generation genomic sequencing technology that is accessible, versatile, and highly impactful for research. It also brings together those who already use Nanopore technology with those who want to incorporate it into their projects, fostering new collaborations and accelerating the development of highly specialized talent," said Dr. Marcos López Casillas, Director of the Research Institute at the Fideicomiso para Ciencia, Tecnología e Investigación de Puerto Rico.
"At the Fideicomiso, we firmly believe in investing in and developing the capabilities that drive innovation, scientific research, and the well-being of Puerto Rico. This symposium is a clear example of that commitment," López Casillas added.
The symposium was organized in collaboration with the Fideicomiso para Ciencia, Tecnología e Investigación de Puerto Rico, Arecibo C3 (AC3), PRINBRE, Oxford Nanopore Technologies, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico, the University of Puerto Rico, and the Clinical and Forensic Laboratory. This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to expanding scientific capacity, fostering research partnerships, and developing the talent needed to support Puerto Rico's innovation economy.
Given the excellent response to this first edition, organizers hope to turn the Puerto Rico Sequencing Symposium into an annual gathering that continues to develop and strengthen a community of researchers, educators, students, and institutions working with genomic technologies in Puerto Rico.