A mains electricity (AC-powered) automated laboratory instrument intended to determine the sequence of nucleotides in a nucleic acid library [pre-constructed from deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) or ribonucleic acid (RNA)] for genetic analysis of a clinical specimen, using a next-generation sequencing (NGS) technique. It consists of a detector (e.g., fluorescent, luminescent or electrochemical) which detects signals from incorporated nucleotides, as well as sample processing, data processing, and/or data display software. It operates with minimal technician input and complete automation of all procedural steps.