Patented Sample Preparation Kit to Streamline DNA and RNA Sequencing Studies

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 31 May 2012

Biotech and genomic researchers can now work with a patented new kit that optimizes sample preparation for DNA or RNA analysis whether performed manually or on a next generation sequencing (NGS) platform.

Rubicon Genomics, Inc. (Ann Arbor, MI, USA) a well-known developer and manufacturer of sample-specific preanalytical processes to improve the performance and capabilities of DNA and RNA analytical platforms for research and clinical testing, has released the first product in its new line of the ThruPLEX sample preparation kits.

Sequencing Studies Image: The ThruPLEX-FD sample preparation kit (Photo courtesy of Rubicon Genomics).

The ThruPLEX-FD kit turns sample preparation into a streamlined one-tube, three-step process without intermediate purifications, transfers, columns, or gels. The reduced steps and material transfers decrease the likelihood of experimental variability, bias, and contamination. DNA is sequencing-ready in two hours with as little as 15 minutes of hands-on time. The kit’s reagents and protocols were specifically designed for use with samples as small as 50 picograms of human DNA and can be used in plasma, FFPE (formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded) tissue sections, cDNA, and ChIP (chromatin immunoprecipitation) DNA applications. The results are superior repair, ligation, and amplification of the genomic DNA.

ThruPLEX-FD is currently available as 48-reaction, 12-index kits for sequencing on the Illumina Inc. (San Diego, CA, USA) HiSeq, MiSeq, and Genome Analyzer instruments. Similar kits are currently being developed for additional formats and platforms.

“The accelerated adoption of NGS technology has created a demand for faster and more sensitive sample preparation,” said Dr. James Koziarz, CEO of Rubicon. “Breaking with the traditional multistep process requiring intermediate transfers and purifications, ThruPLEX uses more efficient enzymology to repair, ligate, and amplify the DNA molecules in a single tube. Our patented three-step process enables high quality sequencing of clinical samples that were previously too small or degraded to be tested. ThruPLEX-FD highlights the power of this new technology, producing accurate and reproducible results from very small amounts of fragmented DNA. We believe our ThruPLEX products will facilitate wider use of NGS and look forward to releasing additional ThruPLEX products later this year.”

Related Links:
Rubicon Genomics, Inc.
Illumina Inc.