Venlo, the Netherlands, Nov. 06, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- QIAGEN (NYSE: QGEN; Frankfurt Prime Standard: QIA) today announced the launch of the Microbiome WGS SeqSets, a comprehensive Sample to Insight workflow designed to provide an easy-to-use solution that maximizes efficiency and reproducibility in microbiome research.
The workflow streamlines the process steps involving sample extraction and next-generation sequencing (NGS) library preparation to prepare the sample for processing in an NGS sequencer, followed by user‑friendly bioinformatics analysis designed for researchers without expertise in the field.
Gaining prominence in recent years, microbiome research explores the relationships between microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi and viruses, and their hosts. The goal is to better understand their impact on health, diseases and ecological processes in order to develop novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
“Our Microbiome WGS SeqSets provide a complete Sample to Insight solution that combines our industry-leading extraction technology with easy-to-use downstream NGS library preparation and intuitive bioinformatics. This streamlined workflow addresses challenges such as DNA extraction bias, library preparation complexity, and bioinformatics expertise, allowing researchers to focus on their scientific discoveries while we enable a smooth and reliable process,” said Nitin Sood, Senior Vice President and Head of the Life Sciences Business Area at QIAGEN.
The QIAamp PowerFecal Pro WGS SeqSets and the DNeasy PowerSoil Pro WGS SeqSets offer unified solutions for gut and soil samples. The workflow begins with DNA extraction using the DNeasy PowerSoil Pro or QIAamp PowerFecal Pro DNA Kits, which efficiently isolate high yields of DNA and identify greater bacterial diversity than other commercial kits.
Following extraction, the QIAseq Normalizer Kit streamlines library normalization, enabling easy pooling for high-throughput sequencing. The QIAseq FX DNA Library Kit enables rapid 2.5-hour NGS library preparation for whole genome metagenomic analysis, creating sequencing libraries with minimal bias through enzymatic fragmentation and adapter ligation. “We recommend the QIAseq FX DNA Library Kit for taxonomic profiling based on its high accuracy, low GC bias, and excellent transferability across laboratories,” said Dr. Dieter M. Tourlousse, Senior Scientist at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) in Japan.
Finally, bioinformatics analysis is conducted using the Microbial Analysis Portal, an intuitive web-based platform. It enables taxonomic identification of microbes, provides a detailed breakdown of microbial species, and supports antimicrobial resistance (AMR) analysis for identifying antibiotic resistance genes. Users can easily and quickly generate publication-ready data and figures.
The SeqSets are designed for diverse microbiome research applications, including studies of gut health, soil microbiology, antibiotic resistance, and many others.
The new workflow further expands the growing portfolio of QIAGEN microbiome solutions. In true Sample to Insight spirit, the comprehensive portfolio encompasses tools for every aspect of the scientific workflow, including reliable sample preparation kits optimized for investigating challenging samples from environmental and human microbiomes. To ensure reproducibility, QIAGEN offers sample preparation automation for standardization and reliability. The extensive range of microbiome solutions also includes downstream processing technologies such as NGS, digital PCR (dPCR), or quantitative PCR (qPCR), all complemented by robust bioinformatics tools for seamless digital analysis.
More information on the Sample to Insight workflow for microbiome researchers can be found here: https://www.qiagen.com/applications/microbiome/workflow
About QIAGEN
QIAGEN N.V., a Netherlands-based holding company, is the leading global provider of Sample to Insight solutions that enable customers to gain valuable molecular insights from samples containing the building blocks of life. Our sample technologies isolate and process DNA, RNA and proteins from blood, tissue and other materials. Assay technologies make these biomolecules visible and ready for analysis. Bioinformatics software and knowledge bases interpret data to report relevant, actionable insights. Automation solutions tie these together in seamless and cost-effective workflows. QIAGEN provides solutions to more than 500,000 customers around the world in Molecular Diagnostics (human healthcare) and Life Sciences (academia, pharma R&D and industrial applications, primarily forensics). As of September 30, 2023, QIAGEN employed more than 6,000 people in over 35 locations worldwide. Further information can be found at http://www.qiagen.com.
Forward-Looking Statement
Certain statements contained in this press release may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. To the extent that any of the statements contained herein relating to QIAGEN's products, including those products used in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, timing for launch and development, marketing and/or regulatory approvals, financial and operational outlook, growth and expansion, collaborations, markets, strategy or operating results, including without limitation its expected adjusted net sales and adjusted diluted earnings results, are forward-looking, such statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that involve a number of uncertainties and risks. Such uncertainties and risks include, but are not limited to, risks associated with management of growth and international operations (including the effects of currency fluctuations, regulatory processes and dependence on logistics), variability of operating results and allocations between customer classes, the commercial development of markets for our products to customers in academia, pharma, applied testing and molecular diagnostics; changing relationships with customers, suppliers and strategic partners; competition; rapid or unexpected changes in technologies; fluctuations in demand for QIAGEN's products (including fluctuations due to general economic conditions, the level and timing of customers' funding, budgets and other factors); our ability to obtain regulatory approval of our products; difficulties in successfully adapting QIAGEN's products to integrated solutions and producing such products; the ability of QIAGEN to identify and develop new products and to differentiate and protect our products from competitors' products; market acceptance of QIAGEN's new products and the integration of acquired technologies and businesses; actions of governments, global or regional economic developments, weather or transportation delays, natural disasters, political or public health crises, including the breadth and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the demand for our products and other aspects of our business, or other force majeure events; as well as the possibility that expected benefits related to recent or pending acquisitions may not materialize as expected; and the other factors discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in Item 3 of our most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F. For further information, please refer to the discussions in reports that QIAGEN has filed with, or furnished to, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Source: QIAGEN N.V.
Category: Corporate
