PerkinElmer has launched the research use only (RUO) BioQule NGS System – an automated benchtop solution for next-generation sequencing (NGS) library preparation of up to eight samples. By incorporating automated thermocycling, integrated quality control through optical quantification and robust liquid handling technology into a single device, the BioQule NGS System enables researchers to produce high-quality NGS libraries that yield reliable, reproducible results in a variety of applications requiring genomic analysis.

Unlike existing solutions for NGS library preparation, which are expensive and rely on external solutions to perform concentration measurements on their libraries, the BioQule NGS System provides in-built quantification of the NGS libraries it creates. Methods and kits used with the BioQule NGS System are predeveloped and pre-verified, and the entire system can be installed, set up and run by the user without any specialised vendor support.

In addition to its simple design and walk-away automation capabilities, the BioQule NGS System expands opportunities in NGS library preparation by requiring as little as 10 ng of starting material to create libraries, while others require 50 ng or more. PerkinElmer currently offers two DNA library prep kits that are automated on the system – the NEXTFLEX Rapid XP DNA-Seq Kit and the NEXTFLEX Rapid DNA-Seq Kit 2.0. Additional library prep kits compatible with BioQule NGS System are currently in development.