The Genomics Unit offers a variety of services comprising Quality Control, Library Preparation and Sequencing in Illumina, MGI and Nanopore Platforms.

• Quality Control

Quality control is essential to ensure the integrity and reliability of samples and sequencing procedures. To achieve this, we use two complementary yet distinct instruments that provide peak and smear analysis of genetic material: Fragment Analyzer and TapeStation.

Fragment Analyzer

The Fragment Analyzer uses capillary electrophoresis, offering high precision and sensitivity, even with low-input samples. This instrument is ideal for projects analyzing 6 to 11 samples or more, as it operates by lane. We offer high-sensitivity kits, ensuring accurate assessment of nucleic acid quality:

• NGS Fragment Kit (1-6000bp)
• HS RNA Kit (15NT)

TapeStation

The TapeStation is based on microfluidic electrophoresis and processes each sample individually, making it more flexible for varying sample numbers. We provide a range of kits tailored to different sample types, fragment sizes, and concentrations, including:

• D5000 & D5000 HS
• D1000 & D1000 HS
• Genomic DNA
• RNA & RNA HS

These QC tools help guarantee that only high-quality samples proceed to sequencing, maximizing the success and reliability of downstream analyses.

• Library Preparation

Our facility offers library preparation services for multiple sequencing platforms, including Illumina, MGI, and Nanopore, ensuring flexibility for diverse research needs.

Illumina Library Preparation

We provide a range of protocols tailored to different applications:

• Amplicon Sequencing/ Metabarcoding – We support 16S, 18S, and ITS sequencing for microbial community profiling. Our standard protocol targets specific conserved gene regions, but researchers can opt for customized protocols to meet specific experimental requirements.
• Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) – For DNA library preparation, we utilize the Nextera XT protocol, optimized for high-throughput sequencing.
• Bulk RNA Sequencing – We prepare RNA libraries from total RNA or cells using the Smart-seq2 protocol, enabling comprehensive gene expression analysis. Additionally, we offer ribodepletion using the Zymo-Seq RiboFree Total RNA Library Kit, which removes ribosomal RNA to improve the detection of low-abundance transcripts.
• Single-Cell RNA Sequencing – For high-resolution transcriptomics, we use 10x Genomics technology, allowing the analysis of thousands of individual cells in a single experiment.

Library Preparation for MGI Sequencing

MGI sequencing is an advanced technology that generates DNA Nanoballs (DNBs) from circularized DNA molecules. These DNBs are multiple copies of a single fragment arranged in a compact ball, which adheres to a patterned flow cell. This method significantly reduces PCR bias, as no amplification occurs inside the sequencer, leading to more accurate and uniform sequencing results.

Our facility provides library preparation for MGI sequencing, supporting various applications:

DNA Library Preparation:

• Free-PCR Library Construction – Ideal for applications where minimal amplification is preferred.
• Fast Library Construction – A rapid and efficient method for DNA library preparation.

RNA Library Preparation:

• MGIEasy Fast RNA – Designed for fast and efficient RNA sequencing.

Illumina-to-MGI Library Conversion:

• We offer a library conversion service, enabling researchers to use pre-existing Illumina libraries for MGI sequencing.

Nanopore

Nanopore Sequencing is a cutting-edge technology that enables real-time, long-read sequencing by passing DNA or RNA molecules through biological nanopores. As nucleotides move through the pore, changes in electrical current are detected, allowing for direct base calling without the need for amplification. This method offers unprecedented read lengths, the ability to detect base modifications, and the flexibility to sequence in real-time on portable or high-throughput devices. Nanopore sequencing is ideal for whole genome sequencing, transcriptomics, epigenetics, and rapid pathogen detection, providing a powerful tool for diverse genomics applications.