Maximizing Workflow Efficiencies for RNA-Seq with an Automated Microfluidics Solution

RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) provides more precise measurement of transcript levels and their isoforms than other expression profiling methods, and has become the gold standard for hypothesis-free profiling of the transcriptome. Because of its functional utility and widespread use, there is a need to simplify the complex steps of RNA-seq library preparation for next-generation sequencing (NGS) applications and to substantially reduce associated costs. We have significantly streamlined RNA-seq library prep with automated microfluidics technology by employing solid-phase enrichment and multistep chemistries.

We have developed a library prep solution that combines reagents and samples using a microfluidics liquid-handling circuit on a versatile small-footprint benchtop instrument to generate stranded full-length RNA-seq libraries from a variety of organisms. The workflow simplifies the tedium and hands-on steps of library prep while reducing costs because of the nanoliter volumes employed within the microfluidics device.

In this presentation, we will discuss performance of the Advanta™ RNA-Seq NGS Library Prep Kit and the Juno™ system with total RNA isolated from a variety of tissues and cell lines. Results from our internal analytical study using 917 samples (universal human reference RNA standard and human brain RNA) generated genome mapping rates of >80%, with rRNA reads of <10%, at 10 and 100 ng of input. Technical replicate correlations were observed to be >98% in all conditions. We will demonstrate how library prep for total RNA can be simplified using our automated microfluidics technology, helping to reduce costs and labor for high-throughput biomolecular resource laboratories while maintaining high-quality RNA-seq libraries.

For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.