A Smoother Path From Sample To Sequencing
With whole genome sequencing gaining traction in clinical labs, consistent sample prep is more important than ever
Whole genome sequencing (WGS) is advancing genetic discovery, but sample prep bottlenecks slow progress. Annemarie Watson, CEO of Covaris, discusses how the new truCOVER WGS PCR-free Library Prep Kit integrates mechanical DNA shearing with efficient conversion into NGS-ready libraries. Today's Clinical Lab recently interviewed Watson.
Covaris' Adaptive Focused Acoustics® (AFA®) technology, which uses controlled ultrasonic energy to produce precise and reproducible DNA fragmentation, is widely recognized as an industry standard. What drove the decision to offer a complete library prep solution?
Annemarie Watson, CEO of Covaris.
COVARIS
Next-generation sequencing (NGS) workflows involve multiple critical steps, each impacting results. Covaris has spent over 25 years refining AFA technology for precise DNA shearing, but fragmentation is only one step. With recent advancements, we saw an opportunity to streamline workflows, reducing time and costs by keeping shearing and library prep in a single tube. Expanding our offerings enables us to support all aspects of sample preparation, from DNA/RNA extraction and purification to fragmentation and library prep.
What makes WGS library prep so complex?
Variability is a major challenge. Enzyme-based fragmentation can introduce sequence bias, causing over- or under-representation of certain genomic regions. Inconsistent fragment sizes further impact sequencing accuracy, making precise shearing essential.
Processing diverse sample types adds complexity. Different extraction methods yield varying DNA quality, and FFPE (formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded) tissue is particularly difficult due to chemical crosslinking that degrades DNA, complicating extraction and sequencing. Reproducibility is critical—without a consistent workflow, downstream results suffer.
Cost and turnaround time are also key concerns. A single WGS sample can cost $200 to $600, with results taking days or weeks. Slow, inefficient workflows create non-uniform libraries, reducing sequencing depth and data reliability.
How does AFA technology help standardize WGS workflows?
Consistency is key. AFA provides uniform fragmentation across different sample types, helping labs standardize workflows, even with limited or challenging samples like FFPE. When material is scarce, failed prep isn’t an option. Our workflow maximizes recovery, making it easier to get high-quality DNA from minimal or degraded inputs.
How does the truCOVER kit streamline workflows and address these challenges for clinical labs?
truCOVER standardizes DNA fragmentation and preparation, ensuring reproducible results across different sample types—blood, saliva, and FFPE—without requiring separate kits.
A major benefit is library conversion efficiency. A higher conversion rate leads to better sequencing success. The workflow is also faster, reducing turnaround time by about 30 percent. By streamlining the workflow, reagent use and sample loss are minimized, lowering library prep costs by up to 20 percent.
Most of the cost savings happen downstream in sequencing, but by optimizing library prep, labs improve overall efficiency and data quality while reducing waste.
What else should clinical lab managers know about improving their library prep workflows?
Focus on efficiency and reproducibility. We’ve launched our WGS kit, and we expect to have an amplification kit, exome kit, and transcriptome kit coming within the next year. Our goal is to continue refining high-efficiency, automation-friendly workflows that help clinical labs scale sequencing without compromising quality.