NGS sample prep automation solutions

Optimize library quality and laboratory resources with automated sample prep.

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A laboratory technician wearing safety glasses inspects the reagents and consumables in an automated liquid handling system

NGS library prep automation solutions for every type of laboratory

Solution

Reliable library quality with flexible automated workflow parameters for NGS sample prep

NGS sample preparation, or library prep, comprises a complex series of steps. Because of this, large-scale manual library prep presents several challenges, including user-to-user variability, batch-to-batch variation, and repetitive-motion injuries. Automation of NGS library prep on automated liquid handlers can provide:

  • Improved process control
  • Faster turnaround times
  • More consistent library quality
  • Reduced technician fatigue
  • Greater optimization of laboratory resources

Roche offers a wide variety of automated sample prep solutions, including our AVENIO Edge System, as well as automation support for non-Roche liquid handlers.

The AVENIO Edge System is an all-in-one pre-analytical platform that is pre-programmed and optimized for automated NGS sample prep with our industry-leading KAPA chemistry. Designed to minimize manual touchpoints, it includes ready-to-load reagents, validated research protocols, on-board QC capabilities, and intuitive software to manage your NGS sample prep workflows like never before.

For labs that have already invested in liquid handling equipment, we have also developed dozens of standard automated workflows for our KAPA NGS sample prep chemistries on non-Roche systems. These have been developed through collaborative partnerships with major automation vendors and customers.

Value

Worry-free, walk-away NGS sample prep automation

The AVENIO Edge System simplifies the complexity of NGS workflows by providing an end-to-end NGS sample prep experience with integrated modules for library preparation, target enrichment, quantification, normalization, and pooling. 

This highly differentiated system enables you to optimize your lab resources and your NGS operations with:

  • Pre-programmed protocols optimized for KAPA chemistry
  • Ready-to-use pre-filled reagent cartridges
  • Intuitive software

Together, these features make the AVENIO Edge System an easy-to-implement solution that requires no prior NGS sample prep or automation experience to produce high-quality NGS libraries of consistent quality with minimal user intervention. 

For laboratories with existing liquid handlers, Roche can eliminate the need for labs to create new methods on their own by providing Roche-developed scripts and workflows that have been verified and standardized scripts workflows on numerous non-Roche systems.

Vision

Unlock the value of every precious sample

Reliable NGS library prep is essential for high-quality sequencing results—and it’s even more important for samples that can only be collected once, are limited in quantity, or are of poor quality and thus susceptible to degradation. 

The differentiated AVENIO Edge System is the newest in our extensive portfolio of fully automated pre-analytical systems, bringing Roche quality and reliability to research projects that rely on NGS readouts—including the pre-clinical and clinical research.

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AVENIO Edge System is a fully automated IVD liquid handler for end-to-end library preparation, target enrichment, quantification, normalization, and pooling.
Intuitive, templated design software for rapid and flexible user-defined workflow deployment.Easy-to-use interface has tunable parametersUnparalleled flexibility allows changing workflows at any time during the runWorkflows can be configured to stop or start at any stepValidated workflows are pre-populated with recommended parameters and the ability to adjust if needed
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Benefits of NGS sample prep automation solutions from Roche

Consistency

Achieve reliable and consistent NGS library quality

Automation of NGS library prep on the AVENIO Edge System or on other liquid handlers can reduce the hidden costs associated with labor, slower turnaround time, and human error, thus increasing overall lab efficiency. In particular, library prep automation using the AVENIO Edge System:

  • Ready-to-load, pre-filled, and barcoded reagent cartridges, which obviate the need for manual master mix preparation and reagent aliquotting
  • Minimal sample handling and user intervention, especially in protocols that require multiple bead-based manipulations, pipetting and mixing  of small volumes or viscous liquids, and precise temperature control and timing
  • Automated, on-deck quantification plus normalization and pooling
Efficiency

Improve overall lab productivity and operational efficiency

NGS sample prep automation reduces the hidden costs associated with labor, turnaround time, and error, and contributes to greater overall lab efficiency. Automated sample prep using the AVENIO Edge System or, to a lesser extent, by executing Roche-developed KAPA workflows on third-party liquid handlers:

  • Mitigates the risk of sample contamination or mix-ups and experimental error that can compromise results or lead to loss of precious samples.
  • Reduces the overall time from input to sequencing-ready library, particularly for large batch sizes. Sequencers can be loaded earlier, thereby reducing the time-to-result, especially for labs that do not run 24-hour shifts.
  • Enables the preparation of libraries from different sample types for different applications using the same hardware, software, reagents, and consumables.
  • Frees up technician time to focus on other, less repetitive, and more challenging tasks.
Flexibility

Enjoy flexibility when you need it

The AVENIO Edge System provides fully validated, walk-away NGS sample prep, but offers flexibility to support operational choices and constraints. This includes:

  • User-tunable parameters (e.g., incubation temperatures/times, PCR cycles, bead clean-up ratios) in pre-programmed KAPA workflows
  • The use of KAPA User-Filled Kits (KUFK), which enable users to aliquot adapters/barcoding primers or other reagents from off-the-shelf KAPA kits into AVENIO Edge consumables prior to setup
  • Using the AVENIO Designer Software to customize/enhance KAPA library preparation and target enrichment protocols using Roche-provided protocol templates, and distribute customized protocols to designated lab locations

Roche-developed methods for non-Roche liquid handlers allow you to automate your KAPA sample prep workflows using existing laboratory equipment, without the time and effort required to develop, modify, or optimize scripts for Roche chemistries. Third-party methods are developed and verified in collaboration with automation partners and/or customers.

Sample prep automation system and workflow comparison overview

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Sample prep automation system and workflow comparison overview

  AVENIO Edge System Roche-developed automated KAPA workflows on non-Roche liquid handlers

System
  • Fully integrated system for library prep, target enrichment, quantification, and normalization/pooling with on-deck thermocycler
  • Single system supports sample prep for different NGS applications (e.g., exome sequencing, PCR-free WGS, RNA-seq) 
  • Hardware, software, reagents, and consumables from Roche
  • Class 1 US IVD and a Class A CE IVDR
  • Hardware, software, and consumables not provided or validated by Roche
  • Typically involves the use of different instruments and software for different parts of the sample-to-library workflow or sample prep for different applications

Workflows
  • Pre-programmed, end-to-end KAPA workflows for different applications 
  • Modular protocols with user-tunable parameters
  • Some degree of workflow optimization is possible with AVENIO Design Software and Roche protocol templates
  • Typically, one script per process (e.g., library prep, target enrichment, library quantification, pooling)
  • Tunability of parameters depends on nature of liquid handler and development partner
  • Non-KAPA protocols may be run on the same instrument (not supported by Roche)

User intervention
  • Minimal, limited to selection of protocol, loading of reagent cartridges, and collection of sequencing-ready libraries
  • For KUFK, some reagent preparation and aliquoting are required 
  • Automated verification that all samples, reagents, and consumables are correctly loaded
  •  No “babysitting” of instrument required
  • Depends on nature of liquid handler and development partner, but typically not true walk-away
  • Requires reagent mixing and aliquotting
  • Typically requires manual verification of deck loading
  • Typically requires resetting of deck between different processes in the end-to-end workflow (not all may be automated on the same instrument)
  • Requires attentive technicians to optimize turnaround times by shepherding samples through different parts of the process

Implementation and operation
  • No additional investment in software or hardware
  • No script development or optimization
  • Does not require prior NGS experience to operate
  • Existing liquid handlers with correct configuration for a supported workflow can be used
  • Scripts are co-developed and verified by Roche, but some in-house optimization may be required/desired
  • Typically requires at least entry-level NGS sample prep experience to monitor progress, intervene where required, or recover from errors

Thinking of automating library prep on your existing liquid handler?

Roche’s NGS Automation Support Team, in collaboration with non-Roche liquid handling vendors, creates menus of automated methods for KAPA library prep reagents. See our menu for non-Roche liquid handlers to get you up and running with automating your NGS library prep protocols.

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KAPA products are for research use only, not for use in diagnostics procedures.

The AVENIO Edge System is a Class 1 US IVD and a Class A CE IVD (under IVDR) and is intended for downstream diagnostic applications. For the EU, Roche is collaborating with Platomics to enable laboratories to help automate document generation on Platomics’ multi-stakeholder platform for workflows incorporating the AVENIO Edge System. Reagents and kits mentioned are for Research Use Only. They are not intended for diagnostic procedures. The AVENIO Edge System can be used for Research Use Only (RUO) workflows.