--- a/tools/loaders/sharq/regexpr.hpp
+++ b/tools/loaders/sharq/regexpr.hpp
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@
 #include <iostream>
 
 #include <re2/re2.h>
+#include <re2/stringpiece.h>
 
 class CRegExprMatcher
 /// Encapsulation for RE2 regexpr matcher
@@ -58,7 +59,7 @@ public:
 */        
     bool Matches(const re2::StringPiece& input)
     {
-        mLastInput = input.as_string();
+        mLastInput.assign(input.data(), input.size());
         return re2::RE2::PartialMatchN(input, *re, args.empty() ? nullptr : &args[0], (int)args.size());
     }
 
--- a/test/loaders/sharq/test-regexpr.cpp
+++ b/test/loaders/sharq/test-regexpr.cpp
@@ -60,17 +60,17 @@ TEST_CASE(YesMatch)
     CRegExprMatcher m( R"([@>+]([!-~]*?)[: ]?([!-~]+?Basecall)(_[12]D[_0]*?|_Alignment[_0]*?|_Barcoding[_0]*?|)(_twodirections|_2d|-2D|_template|-1D|_complement|-complement|\.1C|\.1T|\.2D|)[: ]([!-~]*?)[: ]?([!-~ ]+?_ch)_?(\d+)(_read|_file)_?(\d+)(_strand\d*.fast5|_strand\d*.*|)(\s+|$))" );
     REQUIRE( m.Matches( "@f286a4e1-fb27-4ee7-adb8-60c863e55dbb_Basecall_Alignment_template MINICOL235_20170120_FN__MN16250_sequencing_throughput_ONLL3135_25304_ch143_read16010_strand" ) );
     REQUIRE_EQ( size_t( 11 ), m.GetMatch().size() );
-    REQUIRE_EQ( string(""), m.GetMatch()[0].as_string() );
-    REQUIRE_EQ( string("f286a4e1-fb27-4ee7-adb8-60c863e55dbb_Basecall"), m.GetMatch()[1].as_string() );
-    REQUIRE_EQ( string("_Alignment"), m.GetMatch()[2].as_string() );
-    REQUIRE_EQ( string("_template"), m.GetMatch()[3].as_string() );
-    REQUIRE_EQ( string(""), m.GetMatch()[4].as_string() );
-    REQUIRE_EQ( string("MINICOL235_20170120_FN__MN16250_sequencing_throughput_ONLL3135_25304_ch"), m.GetMatch()[5].as_string() );
-    REQUIRE_EQ( string("143"), m.GetMatch()[6].as_string() );
-    REQUIRE_EQ( string("_read"), m.GetMatch()[7].as_string() );
-    REQUIRE_EQ( string("16010"), m.GetMatch()[8].as_string() );
-    REQUIRE_EQ( string("_strand"), m.GetMatch()[9].as_string() );
-    REQUIRE_EQ( string(""), m.GetMatch()[10].as_string() );
+    REQUIRE_EQ( re2::StringPiece(""), m.GetMatch()[0] );
+    REQUIRE_EQ( re2::StringPiece("f286a4e1-fb27-4ee7-adb8-60c863e55dbb_Basecall"), m.GetMatch()[1] );
+    REQUIRE_EQ( re2::StringPiece("_Alignment"), m.GetMatch()[2] );
+    REQUIRE_EQ( re2::StringPiece("_template"), m.GetMatch()[3] );
+    REQUIRE_EQ( re2::StringPiece(""), m.GetMatch()[4] );
+    REQUIRE_EQ( re2::StringPiece("MINICOL235_20170120_FN__MN16250_sequencing_throughput_ONLL3135_25304_ch"), m.GetMatch()[5] );
+    REQUIRE_EQ( re2::StringPiece("143"), m.GetMatch()[6] );
+    REQUIRE_EQ( re2::StringPiece("_read"), m.GetMatch()[7] );
+    REQUIRE_EQ( re2::StringPiece("16010"), m.GetMatch()[8] );
+    REQUIRE_EQ( re2::StringPiece("_strand"), m.GetMatch()[9] );
+    REQUIRE_EQ( re2::StringPiece(""), m.GetMatch()[10] );
 }
 
 int main (int argc, char *argv [])
--- a/tools/loaders/sharq/fastq_defline_matcher.hpp
+++ b/tools/loaders/sharq/fastq_defline_matcher.hpp
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@
 
 #include "fastq_read.hpp"
 #include "regexpr.hpp"
+#include <absl/strings/match.h>
 #include <insdc/sra.h>
 
 using namespace std;
@@ -59,7 +60,7 @@ public:
      * @return true if defline matches
      * @return false if defline does not match
      */
-    virtual bool Matches(const string_view& defline)
+    virtual bool Matches(const re2::StringPiece& defline)
     {
         return re.Matches(defline);
     }
@@ -107,7 +108,7 @@ public:
     {
     }
 
-    bool Matches(const string_view& defline) override {return false;}
+    bool Matches(const re2::StringPiece& defline) override {return false;}
     virtual void GetMatch(CFastqRead& read) override  {}
     virtual uint8_t GetPlatform() const override { return 0;}
 
@@ -182,16 +183,16 @@ public:
     {
         m_tmp_spot.clear();
         if (!re.GetMatch()[0].empty()) {
-            re.GetMatch()[0].CopyToString(&m_tmp_spot);
+            m_tmp_spot.assign(re.GetMatch()[0].data(), re.GetMatch()[0].size());
             s_add_sep(m_tmp_spot, re.GetMatch()[1]);
         }
-        re.GetMatch()[2].AppendToString(&m_tmp_spot); //lane
+        m_tmp_spot.append(re.GetMatch()[2].data(), re.GetMatch()[2].size()); //lane
         s_add_sep(m_tmp_spot, re.GetMatch()[3]);
-        re.GetMatch()[4].AppendToString(&m_tmp_spot); //tile
+        m_tmp_spot.append(re.GetMatch()[4].data(), re.GetMatch()[4].size()); //tile
         s_add_sep(m_tmp_spot, re.GetMatch()[5]);
-        re.GetMatch()[6].AppendToString(&m_tmp_spot); //x
+        m_tmp_spot.append(re.GetMatch()[6].data(), re.GetMatch()[6].size()); //x
         s_add_sep(m_tmp_spot, re.GetMatch()[7]);
-        re.GetMatch()[8].AppendToString(&m_tmp_spot); //y
+        m_tmp_spot.append(re.GetMatch()[8].data(), re.GetMatch()[8].size()); //y
         read.MoveSpot(std::move(m_tmp_spot));
 
         read.SetReadNum(re.GetMatch()[10]);
@@ -251,12 +252,12 @@ public:
 
         auto& readNum = re.GetMatch()[10];
 
-        m_tmp_suffix.set(nullptr, 0);
+        m_tmp_suffix = re2::StringPiece();
         if (illuminaOldSuffix2.Matches(y)) {
             y = illuminaOldSuffix2.GetMatch()[0];
             auto& suffix = illuminaOldSuffix2.GetMatch()[1];
             if (suffix.size() >= 3) {
-                if (suffix.starts_with("/1") || suffix.starts_with("/2"))
+                if (absl::StartsWith(suffix, "/1") || absl::StartsWith(suffix, "/2"))
                     suffix.remove_prefix(2);
                 m_tmp_suffix = suffix;                    
             }         
@@ -274,16 +275,16 @@ public:
             numDiscards = countExtraNumbersInIllumina(prefix, re.GetMatch()[7], x, y);
             if (numDiscards == 2 && x.find('.') != re2::StringPiece::npos) {
                 string new_suffix;
-                re.GetMatch()[5].AppendToString(&new_suffix); // sep3
-                x.AppendToString(&new_suffix); //x 
-                re.GetMatch()[7].AppendToString(&new_suffix); // sep4
-                y.AppendToString(&new_suffix); //y
+                new_suffix.append(re.GetMatch()[5].data(), re.GetMatch()[5].size()); // sep3
+		new_suffix.append(x.data(), x.size()); //x
+                new_suffix.append(re.GetMatch()[7].data(), re.GetMatch()[7].size()); // sep4
+		new_suffix.append(y.data(), y.size()); //y
                 new_suffix.append(read.Suffix());
                 read.SetSuffix(new_suffix);
             } else if (numDiscards == 1 && y.find('.') != re2::StringPiece::npos) {
                 string new_suffix;
-                re.GetMatch()[7].AppendToString(&new_suffix); // sep4
-                y.AppendToString(&new_suffix); //y
+                new_suffix.append(re.GetMatch()[7].data(), re.GetMatch()[7].size()); // sep4
+		new_suffix.append(y.data(), y.size()); //y
                 new_suffix.append(read.Suffix());
                 read.SetSuffix(new_suffix);
             }
@@ -293,52 +294,63 @@ public:
         if (numDiscards == 1) {
             assert(!prefix.empty());
             if (sub_re1.Matches(prefix)) {
-                sub_re1.GetMatch()[0].AppendToString(&m_tmp_spot);
-                sub_re1.GetMatch()[1].AppendToString(&m_tmp_spot);
-                sub_re1.GetMatch()[2].AppendToString(&m_tmp_spot);
+                m_tmp_spot.append(sub_re1.GetMatch()[0].data(),
+				  sub_re1.GetMatch()[0].size());
+                m_tmp_spot.append(sub_re1.GetMatch()[1].data(),
+				  sub_re1.GetMatch()[1].size());
+                m_tmp_spot.append(sub_re1.GetMatch()[2].data(),
+				  sub_re1.GetMatch()[2].size());
             } else {
-                prefix.AppendToString(&m_tmp_spot);
+                m_tmp_spot.append(prefix.data(), prefix.size());
             }
             s_add_sep(m_tmp_spot, re.GetMatch()[1]);
-            lane.AppendToString(&m_tmp_spot);
+            m_tmp_spot.append(lane.data(), lane.size());
             s_add_sep(m_tmp_spot, re.GetMatch()[3]);
-            tile.AppendToString(&m_tmp_spot);
+            m_tmp_spot.append(tile.data(), tile.size());
             s_add_sep(m_tmp_spot, re.GetMatch()[5]);
-            x.AppendToString(&m_tmp_spot);
+            m_tmp_spot.append(x.data(), x.size());
 
         } else if (numDiscards == 2) {
             assert(!prefix.empty());
             if (sub_re2.Matches(prefix)) {
-                sub_re2.GetMatch()[0].AppendToString(&m_tmp_spot);
-                sub_re2.GetMatch()[1].AppendToString(&m_tmp_spot);
-                sub_re2.GetMatch()[2].AppendToString(&m_tmp_spot);
-                sub_re2.GetMatch()[3].AppendToString(&m_tmp_spot);
-                sub_re2.GetMatch()[4].AppendToString(&m_tmp_spot);
+                m_tmp_spot.append(sub_re2.GetMatch()[0].data(),
+				  sub_re2.GetMatch()[0].size());
+                m_tmp_spot.append(sub_re2.GetMatch()[1].data(),
+				  sub_re2.GetMatch()[1].size());
+                m_tmp_spot.append(sub_re2.GetMatch()[2].data(),
+				  sub_re2.GetMatch()[2].size());
+                m_tmp_spot.append(sub_re2.GetMatch()[3].data(),
+				  sub_re2.GetMatch()[3].size());
+                m_tmp_spot.append(sub_re2.GetMatch()[4].data(),
+				  sub_re2.GetMatch()[4].size());
             } else if (sub_re3.Matches(prefix)) {
-                sub_re3.GetMatch()[0].AppendToString(&m_tmp_spot);
-                sub_re3.GetMatch()[1].AppendToString(&m_tmp_spot);
-                sub_re3.GetMatch()[2].AppendToString(&m_tmp_spot);
+                m_tmp_spot.append(sub_re3.GetMatch()[0].data(),
+				  sub_re3.GetMatch()[0].size());
+                m_tmp_spot.append(sub_re3.GetMatch()[1].data(),
+				  sub_re3.GetMatch()[1].size());
+                m_tmp_spot.append(sub_re3.GetMatch()[2].data(),
+				  sub_re3.GetMatch()[2].size());
             } else {
                 assert(false);
                 throw fastq_error(101, "Unexpected IlluminaOld Defline");
             }
             s_add_sep(m_tmp_spot, re.GetMatch()[1]);
-            lane.AppendToString(&m_tmp_spot);
+            m_tmp_spot.append(lane.data(), lane.size());
             s_add_sep(m_tmp_spot, re.GetMatch()[3]);
-            tile.AppendToString(&m_tmp_spot);
+            m_tmp_spot.append(tile.data(), tile.size());
 
         } else {
             if (!prefix.empty()) {
-                prefix.CopyToString(&m_tmp_spot);
+		m_tmp_spot.assign(prefix.data(), prefix.size());
                 s_add_sep(m_tmp_spot, re.GetMatch()[1]);
             }
-            lane.AppendToString(&m_tmp_spot); //lane
+            m_tmp_spot.append(lane.data(), lane.size()); //lane
             s_add_sep(m_tmp_spot, re.GetMatch()[3]); // sep2
-            tile.AppendToString(&m_tmp_spot); //tile
+            m_tmp_spot.append(tile.data(), tile.size()); //tile
             s_add_sep(m_tmp_spot, re.GetMatch()[5]); // sep3
-            x.AppendToString(&m_tmp_spot); //x
+            m_tmp_spot.append(x.data(), x.size()); //x
             s_add_sep(m_tmp_spot, re.GetMatch()[7]); //sep 4
-            y.AppendToString(&m_tmp_spot); //y
+            m_tmp_spot.append(y.data(), y.size()); //y
         }
         read.MoveSpot(std::move(m_tmp_spot));
 
@@ -437,7 +449,7 @@ public:
     virtual void GetMatch(CFastqRead& read) override
     {
         CDefLineMatcherIlluminaNewBase::GetMatch(read);
-        const string m9 = re.GetMatch()[9].as_string();
+        const auto &m9 = re.GetMatch()[9];
         if ( m9.size() > 2 ) {
             if ( mSuffixPattern.Matches( m9 ) ) {
                 read.SetSuffix( mSuffixPattern.GetMatch()[2] );
@@ -564,14 +576,14 @@ public:
 
         // flowcell, lane, column, row, readNo, spotGroup, readNum, endSep
         m_tmp_spot.clear();
-        re.GetMatch()[0].AppendToString(&m_tmp_spot); //flowcell
-        re.GetMatch()[1].AppendToString(&m_tmp_spot); //lane
-        re.GetMatch()[2].AppendToString(&m_tmp_spot); //column
-        re.GetMatch()[3].AppendToString(&m_tmp_spot); //row
-        re.GetMatch()[4].AppendToString(&m_tmp_spot); // readNo
+        m_tmp_spot.append(re.GetMatch()[0].data(), re.GetMatch()[0].size()); //flowcell
+        m_tmp_spot.append(re.GetMatch()[1].data(), re.GetMatch()[1].size()); //lane
+        m_tmp_spot.append(re.GetMatch()[2].data(), re.GetMatch()[2].size()); //column
+        m_tmp_spot.append(re.GetMatch()[3].data(), re.GetMatch()[3].size()); //row
+        m_tmp_spot.append(re.GetMatch()[4].data(), re.GetMatch()[4].size()); // readNo
         read.MoveSpot(std::move(m_tmp_spot));
 
-        if (!re.GetMatch()[6].empty() && re.GetMatch()[6].starts_with("/"))
+        if (!re.GetMatch()[6].empty() && absl::StartsWith(re.GetMatch()[6], "/"))
             re.GetMatch()[6].remove_prefix(1);
         read.SetReadNum(re.GetMatch()[6]);
 
@@ -602,11 +614,11 @@ public:
         //  0         1     2       3    4       5       6     7        8           9         10         11
         //  flowcell, lane, column, row, readNo, suffix, sep1, readNum, filterRead, reserved, spotGroup, endSep
         m_tmp_spot.clear();
-        re.GetMatch()[0].AppendToString(&m_tmp_spot); //flowcell
-        re.GetMatch()[1].AppendToString(&m_tmp_spot); //lane
-        re.GetMatch()[2].AppendToString(&m_tmp_spot); //column
-        re.GetMatch()[3].AppendToString(&m_tmp_spot); //row
-        re.GetMatch()[4].AppendToString(&m_tmp_spot); // readNo
+        m_tmp_spot.append(re.GetMatch()[0].data(), re.GetMatch()[0].size()); //flowcell
+        m_tmp_spot.append(re.GetMatch()[1].data(), re.GetMatch()[1].size()); //lane
+        m_tmp_spot.append(re.GetMatch()[2].data(), re.GetMatch()[2].size()); //column
+        m_tmp_spot.append(re.GetMatch()[3].data(), re.GetMatch()[3].size()); //row
+        m_tmp_spot.append(re.GetMatch()[4].data(), re.GetMatch()[4].size()); // readNo
         read.MoveSpot(std::move(m_tmp_spot));
 
         read.SetSuffix(re.GetMatch()[5]);
@@ -675,7 +687,9 @@ public:
                 const string Barcode = "barcode";
                 if ( barcode.find( Barcode ) == 0 )
                 {   // self.spotGroup = re.sub(r'barcode(\d+)$',r'BC\1',self.spotGroup,1)
-                    read.SetSpotGroup( string( "BC" ) + barcode.substr( Barcode.size() ).as_string() );
+                    read.SetSpotGroup( string( "BC" )
+				       + string(barcode.data() + Barcode.size(),
+						barcode.size() - Barcode.size()) );
                 }
                 else
                 {
@@ -764,19 +778,19 @@ public:
         m_tmp_spot.clear();
         if ( !re.GetMatch()[3].empty() )
         {   // self.name = poreStart + self.channel + poreMid + self.readNo + poreEnd
-            re.GetMatch()[0].AppendToString(&m_tmp_spot); //poreStart
-            re.GetMatch()[1].AppendToString(&m_tmp_spot); //channel
-            re.GetMatch()[2].AppendToString(&m_tmp_spot); //poreMid
-            re.GetMatch()[3].AppendToString(&m_tmp_spot); //readNo
-            re.GetMatch()[4].AppendToString(&m_tmp_spot); //poreEnd
+            m_tmp_spot.append(re.GetMatch()[0].data(), re.GetMatch()[0].size()); //poreStart
+            m_tmp_spot.append(re.GetMatch()[1].data(), re.GetMatch()[1].size()); //channel
+            m_tmp_spot.append(re.GetMatch()[2].data(), re.GetMatch()[2].size()); //poreMid
+            m_tmp_spot.append(re.GetMatch()[3].data(), re.GetMatch()[3].size()); //readNo
+            m_tmp_spot.append(re.GetMatch()[4].data(), re.GetMatch()[4].size()); //poreEnd
 
             read.SetNanoporeReadNo( re.GetMatch()[3] );
         }
         else
         {   // self.name = poreStart + self.channel + poreEnd
-            re.GetMatch()[0].AppendToString(&m_tmp_spot); //poreStart
-            re.GetMatch()[1].AppendToString(&m_tmp_spot); //channel
-            re.GetMatch()[4].AppendToString(&m_tmp_spot); //poreEnd
+            m_tmp_spot.append(re.GetMatch()[0].data(), re.GetMatch()[0].size()); //poreStart
+            m_tmp_spot.append(re.GetMatch()[1].data(), re.GetMatch()[1].size()); //channel
+            m_tmp_spot.append(re.GetMatch()[4].data(), re.GetMatch()[4].size()); //poreEnd
 
             if ( getPoreReadNo2.Matches(re.GetLastInput()) )
             {
@@ -789,7 +803,7 @@ public:
 
         poreMid = re.GetMatch()[2];
         poreRead = re.GetMatch()[5];
-        re.GetMatch()[6].AppendToString( &poreFile );
+        poreFile.append(re.GetMatch()[6].data(), re.GetMatch()[6].size());
         PostProcess( read );
     }
 
@@ -847,11 +861,11 @@ public:
 
         poreMid = re.GetMatch()[7];
         //self.poreFile = poreStart + self.channel + poreMid + self.readNo + poreEnd
-        re.GetMatch()[5].AppendToString( &poreFile ); //poreStart
-        re.GetMatch()[6].AppendToString( &poreFile ); //channel
-        re.GetMatch()[7].AppendToString( &poreFile ); //poreMid
-        re.GetMatch()[8].AppendToString( &poreFile ); //readNo
-        re.GetMatch()[9].AppendToString( &poreFile ); //poreEnd
+        poreFile.append(re.GetMatch()[5].data(), re.GetMatch()[5].size()); //poreStart
+        poreFile.append(re.GetMatch()[6].data(), re.GetMatch()[6].size()); //channel
+        poreFile.append(re.GetMatch()[7].data(), re.GetMatch()[7].size()); //poreMid
+        poreFile.append(re.GetMatch()[8].data(), re.GetMatch()[8].size()); //readNo
+        poreFile.append(re.GetMatch()[9].data(), re.GetMatch()[9].size()); //poreEnd
 
         poreRead = re.GetMatch()[3];
         PostProcess( read );
@@ -891,11 +905,11 @@ public:
 
         poreMid = re.GetMatch()[7];
         // poreFile = poreStart + self.readNo + poreMid + self.channel + poreEnd
-        re.GetMatch()[5].AppendToString( &poreFile ); //poreStart
-        re.GetMatch()[6].AppendToString( &poreFile ); //readNo
-        re.GetMatch()[7].AppendToString( &poreFile ); //poreMid
-        re.GetMatch()[8].AppendToString( &poreFile ); //channel
-        re.GetMatch()[9].AppendToString( &poreFile ); //poreEnd
+        poreFile.append(re.GetMatch()[5].data(), re.GetMatch()[5].size()); //poreStart
+        poreFile.append(re.GetMatch()[6].data(), re.GetMatch()[6].size()); //readNo
+        poreFile.append(re.GetMatch()[7].data(), re.GetMatch()[7].size()); //poreMid
+        poreFile.append(re.GetMatch()[8].data(), re.GetMatch()[8].size()); //channel
+        poreFile.append(re.GetMatch()[9].data(), re.GetMatch()[9].size()); //poreEnd
 
         poreRead = re.GetMatch()[3];
         PostProcess( read );
@@ -932,7 +946,7 @@ public:
 
         const string Unclassified = string("unclassified");
         if ( getPoreBarcode.Matches(re.GetLastInput()) &&
-             getPoreBarcode.GetMatch()[0].as_string() != Unclassified )
+             getPoreBarcode.GetMatch()[0] != Unclassified )
         {
             read.SetSpotGroup( getPoreBarcode.GetMatch()[0] );
         }
@@ -988,10 +1002,10 @@ public:
         // prefix, dateAndHash454, region454, xy454, readNum, endSep
         // 0       1               2          3      4        5
         m_tmp_spot.clear();
-        re.GetMatch()[0].AppendToString(&m_tmp_spot); //prefix
-        re.GetMatch()[1].AppendToString(&m_tmp_spot); //dateAndHash454
-        re.GetMatch()[2].AppendToString(&m_tmp_spot); //region454
-        re.GetMatch()[3].AppendToString(&m_tmp_spot); //xy454
+        m_tmp_spot.append(re.GetMatch()[0].data(), re.GetMatch()[0].size()); //prefix
+        m_tmp_spot.append(re.GetMatch()[1].data(), re.GetMatch()[1].size()); //dateAndHash454
+        m_tmp_spot.append(re.GetMatch()[2].data(), re.GetMatch()[2].size()); //region454
+        m_tmp_spot.append(re.GetMatch()[3].data(), re.GetMatch()[3].size()); //xy454
         read.MoveSpot(std::move(m_tmp_spot));
         auto& readNo = re.GetMatch()[4];
         if (!readNo.empty()) {
@@ -1026,11 +1040,11 @@ public:
         // 0      1     2    3     4       5       6          7        8 
         m_tmp_spot.clear();
 
-        re.GetMatch()[0].AppendToString(&m_tmp_spot); //runId
-        re.GetMatch()[1].AppendToString(&m_tmp_spot); //sep1
-        re.GetMatch()[2].AppendToString(&m_tmp_spot); //row
-        re.GetMatch()[3].AppendToString(&m_tmp_spot); //sep2
-        re.GetMatch()[4].AppendToString(&m_tmp_spot); //column
+        m_tmp_spot.append(re.GetMatch()[0].data(), re.GetMatch()[0].size()); //runId
+        m_tmp_spot.append(re.GetMatch()[1].data(), re.GetMatch()[1].size()); //sep1
+        m_tmp_spot.append(re.GetMatch()[2].data(), re.GetMatch()[2].size()); //row
+        m_tmp_spot.append(re.GetMatch()[3].data(), re.GetMatch()[3].size()); //sep2
+        m_tmp_spot.append(re.GetMatch()[4].data(), re.GetMatch()[4].size()); //column
         read.MoveSpot(std::move(m_tmp_spot));
         auto& suffix = re.GetMatch()[5];
 
@@ -1049,7 +1063,7 @@ public:
             read.SetReadNum( suffix == "L" ? readNum1 : readNum2 );
         } else {
             read.SetSuffix(suffix);
-            if (readNum.starts_with("/") || readNum.starts_with("\\")) 
+            if (absl::StartsWith(readNum, "/") || absl::StartsWith(readNum, "\\")) 
                 readNum.remove_prefix(1);
             else if (readNum == "L")
                 readNum = "1";
@@ -1085,11 +1099,11 @@ public:
 
         m_tmp_spot.clear();
 
-        re.GetMatch()[0].AppendToString(&m_tmp_spot); //runId
-        re.GetMatch()[1].AppendToString(&m_tmp_spot); //sep1
-        re.GetMatch()[2].AppendToString(&m_tmp_spot); //row
-        re.GetMatch()[3].AppendToString(&m_tmp_spot); //sep2
-        re.GetMatch()[4].AppendToString(&m_tmp_spot); //column
+        m_tmp_spot.append(re.GetMatch()[0].data(), re.GetMatch()[0].size()); //runId
+        m_tmp_spot.append(re.GetMatch()[1].data(), re.GetMatch()[1].size()); //sep1
+        m_tmp_spot.append(re.GetMatch()[2].data(), re.GetMatch()[2].size()); //row
+        m_tmp_spot.append(re.GetMatch()[3].data(), re.GetMatch()[3].size()); //sep2
+        m_tmp_spot.append(re.GetMatch()[4].data(), re.GetMatch()[4].size()); //column
         read.MoveSpot(std::move(m_tmp_spot));
 
         read.SetSuffix(re.GetMatch()[5]);
@@ -1129,7 +1143,7 @@ public:
 
         m_tmp_spot.clear();
 
-        re.GetMatch()[0].AppendToString(&m_tmp_spot); // name
+        m_tmp_spot.append(re.GetMatch()[0].data(), re.GetMatch()[0].size()); // name
         read.MoveSpot(std::move(m_tmp_spot));
     }
 };
@@ -1200,11 +1214,11 @@ public:
 
         m_tmp_spot.clear();
 
-        re.GetMatch()[0].AppendToString(&m_tmp_spot); // name
+        m_tmp_spot.append(re.GetMatch()[0].data(), re.GetMatch()[0].size()); // name
         read.MoveSpot(std::move(m_tmp_spot));
 
         auto& spot_group = re.GetMatch()[1];
-        if (spot_group.starts_with("#")) {
+        if (absl::StartsWith(spot_group, "#")) {
             spot_group.remove_prefix(1);
             read.SetSpotGroup(spot_group);
             auto& read_num = re.GetMatch()[2];
--- a/tools/loaders/sharq/fastq_read.hpp
+++ b/tools/loaders/sharq/fastq_read.hpp
@@ -60,23 +60,23 @@ public:
 
     void SetLineNumber(size_t line_number) { mLineNumber = line_number;}
     void SetSpot(string spot) { mSpot = std::move(spot); }
-    void SetSpot(const re2::StringPiece& spot) {  spot.CopyToString(&mSpot); }
+    void SetSpot(const re2::StringPiece& spot) {  mSpot.assign(spot.data(), spot.size()); }
 
     void MoveSpot(string&& spot) { mSpot = std::move(spot); }
 
     void SetReadNum(string readNum) { mReadNum = std::move(readNum); }
-    void SetReadNum(const re2::StringPiece& readNum) { readNum.CopyToString(&mReadNum); }
+    void SetReadNum(const re2::StringPiece& readNum) { mReadNum.assign(readNum.data(), readNum.size()); }
 
     void SetSuffix(string suffix) { mSuffix = std::move(suffix); }
-    void SetSuffix(const re2::StringPiece& suffix) { suffix.CopyToString(&mSuffix); }
+    void SetSuffix(const re2::StringPiece& suffix) { mSuffix.assign(suffix.data(), suffix.size()); }
 
     void SetSpotGroup(string spotGroup);
     void SetSpotGroup(const re2::StringPiece& spotGroup);
 
     void SetReadFilter(uint8_t readFilter) { mReadFilter = readFilter; }
 
-    void SetChannel(const re2::StringPiece& channel) { channel.CopyToString(&mChannel); }
-    void SetNanoporeReadNo(const re2::StringPiece& readNo) { readNo.CopyToString(&mNanoporeReadNo); }
+    void SetChannel(const re2::StringPiece& channel) { mChannel.assign(channel.data(), channel.size()); }
+    void SetNanoporeReadNo(const re2::StringPiece& readNo) { mNanoporeReadNo.assign(readNo.data(), readNo.size()); }
 
     void SetSequence(string sequence) { mSequence = std::move(sequence); }
     void SetQualScores(vector<uint8_t> qual_scores) { mQualScores = std::move(qual_scores); }
@@ -220,7 +220,7 @@ void CFastqRead::SetSpotGroup(const re2:
     if (spotGroup == "0")
         mSpotGroup.clear();
     else
-        spotGroup.CopyToString(&mSpotGroup);
+        mSpotGroup.assign(spotGroup.data(), spotGroup.size());
 }
 
 
--- a/tools/loaders/sharq/fastq_defline_parser.hpp
+++ b/tools/loaders/sharq/fastq_defline_parser.hpp
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ public:
      * @return true if defline can be parsed
      * @return false if defline cannot be parsed
      */
-    bool Match(const string_view& defline, bool strict = false);
+    bool Match(const re2::StringPiece& defline, bool strict = false);
 
     /**
      * @brief Check if defline matches last matched pattern
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ public:
      * @return true 
      * @return false 
      */
-    bool MatchLast(const string_view& defline);
+    bool MatchLast(const re2::StringPiece& defline);
 
     /**
      * @brief Enable MatchAll pattern
@@ -158,7 +158,7 @@ void CDefLineParser::Reset()
     mIndexLastSuccessfulMatch = 0;
 }
 
-bool CDefLineParser::Match(const string_view& defline, bool strict)
+bool CDefLineParser::Match(const re2::StringPiece& defline, bool strict)
 {
     if (mDefLineMatchers[mIndexLastSuccessfulMatch]->Matches(defline)) {
         return true;
@@ -180,7 +180,7 @@ bool CDefLineParser::Match(const string_
     return false;
 }
 
-bool CDefLineParser::MatchLast(const string_view& defline)
+bool CDefLineParser::MatchLast(const re2::StringPiece& defline)
 {
     return mDefLineMatchers[mIndexLastSuccessfulMatch]->Matches(defline);
 }
@@ -188,7 +188,7 @@ bool CDefLineParser::MatchLast(const str
 
 void CDefLineParser::Parse(const string_view& defline, CFastqRead& read)
 {
-    if (Match(defline)) {
+    if (Match(re2::StringPiece(defline.data(), defline.size()))) {
         mDefLineMatchers[mIndexLastSuccessfulMatch]->GetMatch(read);
         return;
     }
--- a/tools/loaders/sharq/fastq_parser.hpp
+++ b/tools/loaders/sharq/fastq_parser.hpp
@@ -847,7 +847,7 @@ bool fastq_reader::parse_read(CFastqRead
             }
             do {
                 // attempt to detect a missing quality score
-                if (m_line_view[0] == '@' && m_line_view.size() != sequence_size && m_defline_parser.MatchLast(m_line_view)) {
+                if (m_line_view[0] == '@' && m_line_view.size() != sequence_size && m_defline_parser.MatchLast(re2::StringPiece(m_line_view.data(), m_line_view.size()))) {
                     m_buffered_defline = m_line;
                     break;
                 }
--- a/tools/loaders/sharq/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/tools/loaders/sharq/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ if( SINGLE_CONFIG )
         #     -DCMAKE_CXX_COMPILER=${CMAKE_CXX_COMPILER}
         #     -DCMAKE_OSX_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET=${CMAKE_OSX_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET}
         # )
-        set(RE2_STATIC_LIBRARIES -lre2 )
+        set(RE2_STATIC_LIBRARIES -lre2 -labsl_string_view)
         
         add_custom_target(
           sharq.py
--- a/test/loaders/sharq/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/test/loaders/sharq/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ message(RE2_FOUND=${RE2_FOUND})
         set(LOCAL_BUILD_DIR ${CMAKE_ARCHIVE_OUTPUT_DIRECTORY})
         set(LOCAL_INCDIR ${LOCAL_BUILD_DIR}/include)
         set(LOCAL_LIBDIR ${LOCAL_BUILD_DIR}/lib)
-        set(RE2_STATIC_LIBRARIES -lre2 )
+        set(RE2_STATIC_LIBRARIES -lre2 -labsl_string_view)
 
         if ("${CMAKE_CXX_COMPILER_ID}" STREQUAL "GNU" OR CMAKE_CXX_COMPILER_ID STREQUAL "Clang")
             set(CXX_FILESYSTEM_LIBRARIES "stdc++fs")