Automate and accelerate: Focus on insights, not library prep
June 5, 2019 | Genomics

Automate and accelerate: Focus on insights, not library prep

The faster you can prepare high-quality NGS libraries, the faster you can proceed with sequencing your sample and uncovering insights that accelerate your understanding of its underlying biology.

But what if you have thousands of samples? Issues such as manual handling errors, irreproducibility and batch-to-batch inconsistency become magnified the more samples you have to process. This can translate into higher costs and longer turnaround times, as well as a greater number of experimental re-runs. For example, even modest labs are conducting NGS reactions on 3000 to 5000 samples per year for translational medicine studies. These studies have reagent budgets in the millions. For this type of lab running a $1000/genome assay, even a 10% re-run rate can result in escalating costs.

Library preparation doesn’t have to be the rate-limiting step of your NGS workflow.

Enter a world of convenience and flexibility with automated NGS library prep

Combine the flexibility of QIAGEN’s QIAseq FX technology with the convenience of automation to turbo charge your library prep. The QIAseq FX DNA Library Kit incorporates all-enzymatic DNA fragmentation into a streamlined, optimized protocol that does not require sample cleanup between fragmentation and adapter ligation. This saves time and prevents errors. Optimized enzyme and buffer compositions ensure high sequencing library yield. A simple, three-reaction protocol enables straightforward automation of library preparation on various liquid-handling platforms, reducing hands-on time and run-to-run variability. Leverage the sheer genius of the QIAseq FX DNA Library Kit and go from DNA to sequencer-ready whole genome libraries in just 2.5 hours. Providing customizable, reproducible fragment sizes, this kit allows you to achieve higher library complexity and ensures compatibility with multiple NGS applications such as metagenomics and microbiome studies. The convenient plate format and 96-plex barcoded Illumina adapters reduce the risk of cross-contamination and make automation easier.

If your lab is running multiple samples, for example 96 at a time, you’ll need about 20–30 minutes of hands-on time per sample for library prep. By automating the workflow, you can save hours of hands-on time for larger runs.

Focus on achieving insights, not tedious library prep

Automating your library prep minimizes sample-to-sample and human variability and samples can be processed unattended and without manual intervention. This frees up your time to focus on what matters – achieving meaningful insights from your NGS data.

Library prep automation case studies

We’ve compiled some useful resources on library prep automation to get you started. Have a look at our informative webinars presented by both internal and external experts and discover how you can automate library prep on the Freedom EVO NGS workstation from Tecan and on the epMotion 5075 TMX system from Eppendorf. You can find more information on automating on Tecan, Hamilton, epMotion, and other platforms by contacting us here.

Optimizing hybrid capture experiments: Combining automation and optimized chemistries to enhance performance - View the recorded webinar

Streamlining metagenomic studies on the QIAseq FX and epMotion platforms - View the recorded webinar 

We aim bring to you many more webinars on automating library prep on different platforms throughout the course of 2019.
Stay ahead of the latest advances in library prep automation – sign up for our webinars.
Devika Mathur

Devika Mathur

Devika Mathur is a Senior Content Marketing Manager at QIAGEN and is responsible for creating multichannel content in the field of genomics. Devika joined QIAGEN in 2008 as a Technical and Marketing Writer and has written extensively on various scientific topics ranging from next-generation sequencing and single-cell analysis to PCR and sample preparation. Specializing in microbiology, Devika holds a B.Sc. and an M.Sc. from University College Cork, Ireland. Her postgraduate research focused primarily on the molecular characterization of the replication module of the lactococcal bacteriophage Tuc2009.