Demonstrate performance of a complete automation and reagent workflow for analysis of cfDNA from bodily fluids. The efficient extraction of cfDNA from bodily fluids is a unique challenge due to the very low concentrations of nucleic acid. The extraction process along with library preparation is a laborious workflow, where human variability can lead to increased variability in the downstream analysis. Integrated DNA Technology (IDT) and Beckman Coulter (BC) have teamed up to provide a complete automation and reagent workflow for analysis of low frequency variants in cfDNA. The Apostle MiniMax™ High Efficiency Isolation Kit from BC provides complex, utilized magnetic nanoparticles to effectively capture cfDNA. IDT's library prep kit utilizes novel chemistry to maximize conversion, suppress adapter-dimer formation, reduce chimera rates, and facilitate double strand consensus analysis to call ultra-low frequency variants. Finally, IDT's xGen™ hybrid capture products maintain high library diversity and on-target rates to enable low frequency variant calling regardless of panel size. The Biomek i5 and i7 Hybrid workstations bring out the best performance from these reagents. The Biomek NGS workstations protocol is written with a modular design with safe stop points, making it customizable for each lab. The automated protocol uses Beckman's Demonstrated Method Interface tools which include: Biomek Method Launcher to run the method without going into Biomek software, Method Options Selector to choose the run parameters with a user friendly interface, Guided labware Setup to set the deck with labware based on the run parameters, DeckOptix Final Check software to help reduce deck setup errors. We demonstrate the performance of this complete workflow with a range of plasma inputs (4-8 mL). Using control samples with known variant frequencies, the workflow yields high library complexity, 100% positive predictive value, and reliable detection of <0.5% mutant allele frequency variants. With real cfDNA, the workflow demonstrates both high cfDNA and sequencing library yields along with high library complexity. The combination of these reagents on the Biomek workstations provides a robust and reproducible solution for the analysis of cfDNA. Citation Format: Nicole Roseman, Shilpa Parakh, Hsiao-Yun Huang, Kevin Lai, Timothy Barnes, Lyn Lewis, Ushati Das Chakravarty, Anastasia Potts, Alisa Jackson, Amy Yoder, Jessica Sheu, Tzu-Chun Chen. Improved conversion in extraction, library construction, and capture improve sensitivity for variants in liquid biopsy samples [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 5863.

Consisting of only ~2% of the human genome, the exome accounts for ~85% of genetic disorders. Efficient sequencing of the human exome with complete and high coverage depth at low cost is invaluable for furthering research in clinical applications. IDT's xGen Exome Panel has proven to be a high performing option. Here, we present the updated xGen Exome Research Panel v2.0 in direct comparison with two other leading commercial human exome panels, using workflows per manufacturer's specifications. NA12878 genomic DNA libraries were pooled together for 8-plex captures for all three platforms and sequenced on the Illumina NextSeq 500. Equivalent number of reads per sample were analyzed against a universal human exome target space to compare across the different exome panels. IDT's Exome NGS solution provided significantly highest on-target percentage at >90% as well as the greatest depth of coverage at >96% bases covered at >20X and >98% bases covered at >10X. Importantly, IDT's platform also reported the most complete gene-level coverage, demonstrated by minimal exon drop-outs in difficult-to-target genes. While 8-plex is the upper limit supported by other suppliers, IDT's platform supports 12-plex workflow. The higher multiplex in combination with high coverage and on-target performance enables IDT to present the lowest total sequencing cost per sample. Since IDT hybridization capture baits are individually synthesized and qualified with the same high standards as standalone oligonucleotide products, lot-to-lot variability is negligible. This presents researchers with an option they can rely on for long-term use and places the focus on the true variabilities of the sample. In conclusion, this study demonstrates xGen Exome Research Panel v2.0, when combined with IDT's DNA Library Prep Kit, provides researchers with a complete Exome NGS solution that is competitive both in performance and sequencing cost. Citation Format: Manqing Hong, Bosun Min, Nicole Roseman, Ekaterina Star, Timothy Rusch, Krishnalekha Datta, Steve Groenewold, Longhui Ren, Jinglie Zhou, Kevin Lai, Xiaohui Wang, Nick Downey, Kristina Giorda, Alexandra Wang, Yu Wang, Lynette A. Lewis, Patrick J. Lau, Steven Henck. Improved human exome sequencing workflow with the most complete coverage [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 1349.

This study investigates a custom 2Mb xGen Hyb panel designed against mutated gene targets implicated in several cancers using an end-to-end assay workflow on the Biomek NGeniuS platform. Automation in laboratories is advantageous to generate reproducible next generation sequencing (NGS) sample libraries, however, assay automation differs from instrument vendor to vendor but also from lab to lab with different deck layouts of the same instrument. These differences require a significant amount of optimization to design the workflow and begin generating NGS libraries. In addition to this optimization, some research, e.g., cancer research utilizes low input and/or degraded samples such as cfDNA from plasma or FFPE biopsies. Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT) and Beckman Coulter - Life Sciences together provide a walk away NGS automation solution for these research samples directly upon instrument installation with no optimization required by combining Beckman Coulter’s Biomek NGeniuS with IDT’s xGen cfDNA & FFPE DNA Library Prep kit and xGen Hybridization Capture. This trio provides a solution for laboratories to minimize technician hands-on time, error reduction, and rework while improving flexibility. IDT’s xGen cfDNA & FFPE DNA Library Prep kit utilizes novel chemistry to maximize sample input conversion, suppress adapter-dimer formation, and facilitate consensus analysis. IDT’s xGen Hybridization Capture products maintain high library diversity, obtain high on-target, and provide consistent and uniform sequencing coverage regardless of panel size. We demonstrate performance of this complete workflow with a custom 2Mb xGen Hyb panel yielding high library complexity, high on-target coverage, and capture uniformity. The combination of IDT’s xGen library preparation solutions on the NGeniuS Biomek platform provides a reliable and consistent solution that can be instantly downloaded from the portal straight to analysis of precious low input and degraded samples. Citation Format: Nicole Roseman, Laura Tucker, Francesco Criscuolo, Lynette Lewis, Li Liu, Tyler Buit, Jasmeen Mandair, Zachary Smith, Calvin Cortes. Automating next generation sequencing workflows for custom hyb panels: high quality library preparation and target enrichment on the Biomek NGeniuS System [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 263.