Sample and assay technologies provider Qiagen has unveiled new Sample to Insight solutions for liquid biopsies and hereditary diseases.
The QIAseq cfDNA All-in-One Kit combines cell-free DNA extraction and library preparation in the first dedicated solution for liquid biopsy analysis on any next-generation sequencing (NGS) platform.
It integrates with the company's PAXgene Blood ccfDNA Tube for blood sample collection and a bioinformatics workflow for cfDNA.
The streamlined testing solution enables faster analysis of cell-free DNA from sample collection to interpreted result.
Qiagen has also unveild an enhanced bioinformatics workflow for hereditary and rare diseases. This can offer can unique research opportunities using liquid biopsies in non-invasive prenatal testing as well as in cancer biomarker discovery.
The company claims that the QIAseq cfDNA kit offers complete solution from plasma to NGS-ready libraries for increased cell-free DNA conversion and discovery potential for translational research with liquid biopsies.
The extraction and library preparation step is also simplified with the kit, thus providing an efficient and accurate exome or whole genome sequencing.
The company has also unveiled the hereditary disease solution for a streamlined, easy-to-use analysis and interpretation workflow for NGS data from liquid biopsies. By using small blood samples, disease-causing variants in cfDNA can offer advantages in neonatal testing or monitoring of cancer patients for translational research.
Qiagen's bioinformatics can help labs achieve accurate detection and high sensitivity in variants identification.
Qiagen Life Sciences Business Area senior vice president Brad Crutchfield said: “The new All-in-One Kit for extraction and library preparation delivers a powerful solution for researchers to maximize their discovery potential and accuracy of results from liquid biopsies, achieving breakthroughs in NGS detection of even the rarest variants.
“In tandem with new dedicated bioinformatics, our cfDNA kit is creating a true Sample to Insight experience for liquid biopsy analysis, efficiently delivering, accurate and meaningful results with any major sequencing platform.
“Also at ASHG 2016, QIAGEN Bioinformatics is introducing an enhanced analysis and interpretation workflow for identification of disease-causing variants in hereditary and rare diseases, useful in both NIPT and cancer research. NGS users are increasingly relying on QIAGEN’s growing portfolio of Sample to Insight solutions.”