QIAGEN
QGEN]

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has catapulted the field of genomics exploration into a new era, delivering swift and affordable DNA and RNA sequencing. Its ability to sequence genomes, transcriptomes, and epigenomes with high precision supports intricate multiomics studies, deepening the understanding of complex biological processes and diseases. As NGS continues to evolve, advancements in speed, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness are poised to accelerate its integration into research and clinical practice, further catalysing scientific discoveries and clinical interventions.

At the forefront of this genomics revolution, QIAGEN offers indispensable, cutting-edge solutions that not only meet the demands of molecular diagnostics and research, but also contribute significantly to the acceleration of scientific discoveries and clinical breakthroughs driven by NGS advancements.

QIAGEN’s sophisticated NGS solutions have tremendous potential to shape the future of healthcare, enabling personalised medicine, improving disease diagnostics, and fine-tuning treatment protocols. These solutions are designed to broaden the scope of disease-specific mutation detection, progression monitoring, and treatment strategy guidance.

A Unified Journey from Sample to Insight

Upholding its vision of ‘making improvements in life possible,’ QIAGEN distinguishes itself from other market players through a holistic approach. QIAGEN’s Sample to Insight mission represents the goal of providing end-to-end solutions for customers in the life sciences and molecular diagnostics industries. It aims to enhance the efficiency of a research or diagnostic project’s entire workflow. This extends from the initial sample collection and preparation stages, through to the comprehensive analysis and interpretation of results, ensuring heightened speed, precision, and efficiency.

“Harnessing the full potential of NGS in biological research requires swift, efficient solutions that minimise turnaround times and maximise sequencing capacity. Missing an all-important variant can result in significant downstream consequences,” says Peter Hesse, vice president, head of genomics at QIAGEN. “That’s why intelligent panel design and optimised chemistry are critical.”

Here are some key highlights from the comprehensive QIAseq portfolio, which showcase QIAGEN's dedication to providing Sample-to-Insight solutions:

Empowering Genomic Research with Customisable Workflow Platforms

There is a high demand for customisation in NGS, allowing researchers and clinicians to tailor the sequencing approach to their specific research or clinical questions and improving the accuracy and efficiency of the sequencing process. QIAGEN offers the GeneGlobe Design and Analysis Hub, a powerful cloud-based platform that allows researchers to design and analyse their experiments related to gene expression, genotyping, and functional analysis. The platform provides a wide range of tools and resources that researchers can use to customise and optimise their experimental workflows.

QIAGEN also offers Enterprise Genomic Services (EGS), which is a unique, consulting service that delivers customer-centric solutions through scientific consultation, solving complex scientific questions and supporting the implementation of solutions at customer facilities.

QIAseq's Innovations in Liquid Biopsy and High-Throughput RNA Sequencing

Liquid biopsy using NGS is a promising approach and a game-changing development with massive potential in cancer. Its capability to reveal minute genetic changes in tumours over time could guide personalised treatment strategies, paving the way for truly precision-oriented oncology.

The study of circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA), however, presents some challenges, as cfDNA is highly fragmented, unstable, and low concentration in biofluids. Besides, circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) is only a fraction of cfDNA and low-frequency variant of interest.

Addressing these challenges, QIAseq Targeted cfDNA Ultra Panels enables the identification of ultrarare mutations and variants in cfDNA samples by incorporating UMIs, high-fidelity chemistry, and error-correction data analysis to detect VAF down to 0.1 percent with >99 percent specificity. The implications of this technology in early cancer detection and monitoring are significant, potentially transforming the landscape of cancer care.

As higher throughput sequencing instruments become available in the market, the need for higher multiplexity library prep further intensifies. QIAseq UPXome RNA Library Kit is a versatile solution that can work with a dynamic range of RNA inputs, down to 500 picograms (pg) total RNA or enriched RNA. This capacity makes it an invaluable tool in fields like oncology and neurology, where studies often involve the investigation of rare and subtle changes in gene expression. The kit allows researchers and core labs to efficiently handle large volumes of data by pooling multiple cDNA reactions, between 8 and 24, in one go. This not only increases productivity, but also reduces the consumption of resources and waste generation, contributing to more sustainable research practices.

With the integrated QIAseq FastSelect RNA removal reagent, mitochondrial and cytoplasmic ribosomal RNA or other unwanted RNAs are suppressed, improving RNA-seq sensitivity and efficiency. Free access to RNA-seq Analysis Portal enables a user-friendly interface for data analysis to generate publication-ready datasets.

Revolutionising miRNA Research with QIAseq miRNA Library Kit

QIAGEN’s QIAseq miRNA Library Kit stands out in the industry as a superior solution for miRNA NGS library preparation. It developed this workflow to support the increased research interest in miRNAs, potentially important biomarkers in liquid biopsies. The kit works with as little as 1 ng total RNA, and offers a gel-free and automation-friendly workflow that eliminates adapter dimers. It also integrates Unique Molecular Indices (UMIs) in the library prep process, which enables unbiased and accurate miRNome-wide quantification of mature miRNAs by NGS.

In addition, QIAseq FastSelect technology can remove contaminating abundant RNA species for increased sensitivity. To cap it off, GeneGlobe Data Analysis Center provides additional analysis services, helping researchers interpret their data, fulfilling QIAGEN’s promise of guiding users from sample to insight.

Supporting the Unique Requirements of Large-Scale Laboratories

NGS library preparation is a complex and labour-intensive process that involves multiple steps. Automation can simplify this process and reduce the risk of errors and variability, increasing the throughput and reproducibility of NGS experiments as well as the operational efficiency of the lab.

To address this, QIAGEN collaborates closely with its partners, such as PerkinElmer, Hamilton, Beckman Coulter, and Tecan, to provide tailored solutions and support for automation.

Breaking New Ground with Partnerships

The NGS market has seen significant growth and innovation in recent years, with several new sequencing providers entering the market. This creates increased competition, which leads to lower prices and improved service quality. By adding these measures, NGS becomes more accessible to researchers and clinicians, leading to broader adoption of the technology. To compete in a crowded market, new sequencing providers are developing innovative technologies to differentiate themselves but also rely on established partners like QIAGEN to develop new research or clinical applications.

Cloud-based solutions are becoming increasingly popular for NGS data storage and analysis, as they offer scalability, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness. New sequencing providers are embracing cloud-based solutions to provide more accessible and efficient data analysis services. QIAGEN has implemented several joint marketing and development agreements with major sequencing providers to address the demand for application solutions.

Constantly Standing Out of the Crowd

QIAGEN’s commitment to innovation extends to its data analysis solutions, such as the QIAGEN CLC Lightspeed, developed by the QIAGEN Digital Insights team, which affords ultra-fast NGS analysis and is able to process a whole genome in 25 minutes for just $1 in cloud computing costs.

To stay at the forefront of the industry, the firm fosters strategic collaborations to develop and incorporate cutting edge technologies into its products and services. QIAGEN has entered into various partnerships to advance next generation sequencing companion diagnostics, including one with Helix to advance next-generation sequencing companion diagnostics in genetic illness. This will help address the global health burden of neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and auto-immune and inflammatory diseases that affect millions. Another example is a partnership with Neuron23 to develop an innovative NGS companion diagnostic to identify Parkinson's disease patients likely to respond to Neuron23's LRRK2 inhibitor. The development of a companion diagnostic to identify this sub-population of Parkinson's patients will reduce the risk of Neuron23's LRRK2 inhibitor's clinical development and aid in identifying individuals who may benefit from this disease modifying therapy. QIAGEN’s companion diagnostic tests provide valuable information that can help guide treatment decisions and improve patient outcomes in several diseases, including oncology.

As the molecular revolution unfolds, QIAGEN’s unwavering commitment to ‘making improvements in life possible’ positions it at the forefront of this transformative era in research and healthcare