This equipment is a Roche 454: GS FLX + Pyrosequencing by synthesis.
This DNA sequencer uses a technique called pyrosequencing.
It is one of the firsts of the next generation sequencing (NGS) techniques developed after Sanger sequencing. It is now commonly referred to as 454 sequencing because of the name of the manufacturer of the sequencer - 454 Lifesciences.
‘Pyro’ in pyrosequencing refers to the pyrophosphate groups (a part of the nucleotide triphosphates or dNTPs that are used for adding nucleotides when DNA gets synthesized) that are generated during the sequencing reaction. The coupling of light emission with the release of pyrophosphate groups is recorded by a camera and helps in the identification of the DNA sequence. In addition to the regular components that are used for amplification of DNA, it uses certain other enzymes (biological molecules usually protein in nature that catalyzes biochemical reactions). Luciferase is one such enzyme that produces light as part of a sequence of reactions following the release of pyrophosphate. It is the same enzyme that is present in fireflies (jugnu) which makes them glow in the dark (bioluminescence).