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In the ever-evolving landscape of genomics, the selection of an appropriate library preparation kit for next-generation sequencing (NGS) is a pivotal decision that can significantly impact the quality and reliability of the data generated. This article compares the specifications of DNA library prep kits from various solution providers to help you choose the right kit for your application
Unsurprisingly, as the number of sequencing platforms has rapidly expanded so too have the number of library preparation kits available. Many third-party kits are now being sold alongside core library preparation kits from sequencing instrument providers. The diverse range of products available ensures that researchers have a wealth of library preparation options, regardless of their sequencing requirements.
Additionally, the development of single-cell analysis techniques has transformed the sequencing space, with kits now being compatible with incredibly low input amounts for library generation. It is easier than ever to sequence precious samples at high sensitivity &#; essential for the analysis of rare and low abundance nucleic acid samples such as cell-free DNA. Many kits offer the ability to use a wide range of nucleic acid input amounts, meaning that one kit can be applied to a multitude of biological applications, including whole genome sequencing (WGS), transcriptome analysis, targeted sequencing of specific genomic loci and variant detection.
As DNA is the most well-established target for NGS analysis, a range of DNA library preparation kits have entered the market that are suited to various input quantities, genome types or applications. Like sequencing instruments, the kits can be divided into two main categories: those compatible with short-read sequencers and those designed for use with long-read platforms. Therefore, the selection process begins with choosing a kit that is complementary to the type of sequencing and instrument selected. Subsequently, a number of factors must be considered to ensure that the kit chosen can generate a robust library suitable for downstream sequencing and analysis.
In a world where high-throughput sequencing is becoming increasingly more common,the creation of NGS libraries with fewer steps, less reagents and simple instructions makes the sequencing process more manageable &#; especially when multiple samples are being processed in parallel. One prominent example of this is magnetic bead-based DNA purification, a labour-intensive step present in some kits that can result in errors in library preparation1. Therefore, selecting a kit with minimal pipetting steps or one with processes that can be automated (see below) may result in less errors and higher reproducibility.
One of the most prominent factors of complexity is time &#; researchers often desire an efficient workflow with minimal hands-on time required. In response to this demand, newer NGS library preparation products with streamlined workflows have been launched that can create functional libraries in just a couple of hours.
Preparing hundreds or thousands of samples at once is now a reality for some research labs. Luckily, many vendors &#; including Illumina, New England Biolabs and Qiagen &#; now offer automation solutions that aim to efficiently process samples and produce NGS libraries without human intervention. Such systems typically include liquid handling instruments, capable of autonomously running the full library preparation protocol. In addition to reducing hands-on time for researchers, automation also decreases contamination errors, improves sample quality and allows laboratories to scale-up their sequencing preparations as needed2.
For some samples, the amount and type of DNA required for library preparation needs to be considered. Many kits are now compatible with low input amounts (often as little as 1 ng or less). Although this small amount may affect the quality or coverage of downstream sequencing data, this low input requirement is helpful when dealing with uncommon or low abundance samples. Additionally, there are several kits on the market that are specialised for dealing with damaged, low-quality DNA samples &#; such as the xGen&#; ssDNA & Low-Input DNA Library Preparation Kit from Integrated DNA Technology (IDT). As a result, specialised products like these allow researchers to rescue valuable sequencing data from rare sources, including ancient DNA.
Library amplification via PCR is often a required step for many library preparation kits. Although PCR allows researchers to sequence samples with low DNA content, PCR may introduce GC bias, amplification bias and duplicates that may hinder downstream genome assembly or data analysis. To counteract this problem, many vendors have created PCR-free kits that offer reduced assay times and increased coverage across genomic regions that are traditionally challenging to sequence. One well-established example is Illumina&#;s TruSeq DNA PCR-Free kit, which shows impressive coverage improvement for G-rich, high GC and promoter regions when compared to data from their TruSeq DNA kit featuring PCR amplification3.
Sample multiplexing (occasionally referred to as indexing) is the process of tagging each DNA fragment to identify which sample that DNA fragment originated from. By doing this, researchers can pool the libraries for multiple samples together and sequence several samples in parallel. After sequencing, the unique tag (often referred to as a barcode or index) can then be used to group the data into their respective samples before analysis takes place. Therefore, multiplexing is an attractive way to conduct high-throughput sequencing and save both time and money.
Ultimately, the best library preparation kit is one that produces the highest quality data for the lowest price. Hidden reagent costs, expenses associated with analysis, researcher time and kit usage (e.g., wasting resources due to reagent expiration) can all play a factor in the total cost per reaction &#; in addition to the initial expense of the library preparation kit itself. If the experiment requires a small number of samples, or if sequencing is not regularly required, labs may instead opt to outsource sequencing to NGS service providers.
In the following sections, we list the newest and most popular products from the leaders within the NGS library preparation space. Notably, kits for highly specialised starting materials (e.g., tumour tissue) and gene panels have been omitted for brevity. Instead, we focus on kits that are relevant to a wide variety of experimental setups. Although not covered here, many of the suppliers listed also sell more specialised sequencing products, such as Illumina&#;s AmpliSeq panels and Thermo Fisher Scientific&#;s Oncomine assays.
Owing to their immense popularity, the leaders of the short-read industry, Illumina, currently dominate the library preparation market (see Table 1). In addition to the various library preparation kits supplied by Illumina, many third-party companies also offer products that are compatible with Illumina sequencing instruments. In contrast, library preparation kits suitable for other short-read platforms (such as those offered by MGI and PacBio) can be purchased directly from the supplier.
Notably, some sequencing platforms (such as Singular Genomics&#; G4 instrument and Element Biosciences&#; AVITI system) offer library conversion kits, custom adapters and indices, which enable users to perform their library preparation using a wide range of kits from various third-party suppliers. This allows the sequencing instruments to easily slot into any pre-existing NGS workflows.
In , several new products were launched in the short-read DNA library preparation area. One notable highlight is the release of New England Biolab&#;s new NEBNext UltraExpress&#; DNA and RNA Kits, compatible with Illumina platforms. Announced in November , the kits are designed with speed in mind &#; with DNA and RNA libraries being successfully generated within 2 hours and one day respectively4. The kits also follow a simplified protocol using the same adapter concentration and PCR cycle numbers regardless of input amount used, making library preparation easier whilst maintaining sample input flexibility.
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Additionally, was a milestone year for PacBio with the launch of their Onso short-read platform. The novel system was launched in August last year alongside two library preparation kits, designed to create libraries from high-molecular weight or fragmented/damaged samples. The system aims to generate high (Q40+) accuracy data that supports all major short-read applications.
Over in the long-read arena, the industry leaders &#; Oxford Nanopore Technologies and PacBio &#; have a number of library preparation kits available to purchase directly (see Table 2). Interestingly, third-party suppliers of products for long-read library preparation are less common than in short-read sequencing. However, one notable outlier is New England Biolabs, which have partnered with Oxford Nanopore Technologies on their NEBNext® Companion Module for use in Oxford Nanopore Technologies&#; ligation sequencing protocols.
Illumina threw their hat into the ring of long-read sequencing in , with the debut of their novel Complete Long Read Prep kit. The novel technology makes long-read sequencing possible on their powerful NovaSeq instruments, which are commonly used for short-read sequencing. Following a simple one-day protocol, users can generate sequencing reads of 5-7 kb (with some reads >10 kb) that enable complete coverage of genomic regions that may be missed using short-read technology alone.
Last year also saw PacBio announce their collaboration with leading library preparation automation partners, ensuring that their HiFi long-read sequencing can be carried out faster and with higher throughput. The sequencing giants informed customers that several automation providers &#; Hamilton, Integra, Revvity and Tecan &#; have successfully created fully automated protocols for PacBio&#;s Revio and Sequel instruments, enabling users to easily scale up their sequencing to thousands of genomes per year5.
1. Hess, J. F. et al. Library preparation for next generation sequencing: A review of automation strategies. Biotechnol. Adv. 41, ().
2. Socea, J. N., Stone, V. N., Qian, X., Gibbs, P. L. & Levinson, K. J. Implementing laboratory automation for next-generation sequencing: benefits and challenges for library preparation. Front Public Health 11, ().
3. Illumina Inc. TruSeqTM DNA PCR-Free. https://www.illumina.com/content/dam/illumina-marketing/documents/products/datasheets/datasheet_truseq_dna_pcr_free_sample_prep.pdf ().
4. New England Biolabs. New England Biolabs® launches new NEBNext UltraExpressTM DNA and RNA Kits for faster, easier NGS library prep workflows. https://www.neb.com/en-gb/about-neb/news-and-press-releases/new-england-biolabs-launches-new-nebnext-ultraexpress-dna-and-rna-kits-for-faster-easier-ngs-library-prep-workflows ().
5. PacBio announces collaboration with leading library preparation automation partners. PacBio https://www.pacb.com/press_releases/pacbio-announces-collaboration-with-leading-library-preparation-automation-partners/ ().
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