Illumina has announced the launch of the NeoPrep Library Prep System, which simplifies library preparation and delivers high-quality sequencing-ready libraries for next-generation sequencing (NGS).

The NeoPrep System performs library prep, quantification and normalisation, in a single, self-contained instrument. Innovative digital microfluidics technology decreases hands-on time from several hours to 30 minutes. By precisely manipulating droplets within the tightly controlled library card environment, the system delivers reliable, high-quality DNA and RNA libraries from starting amounts 4 to 10 times lower than those required for equivalent manual assays.

"Illumina is enabling the broadest-possible adoption of NGS across research, clinical, and applied markets," said Mr Kirk Malloy, senior vice-president and general manager, Illumina's Life Science Business. He added, "The NeoPrep System is a key milestone in the evolution of NGS technology. It makes NGS accessible to any lab by radically simplifying the library preparation process, creating a seamless workflow of Illumina solutions for library preparation, sequencing, and data analysis. By continuing to drive adoption of NGS, we aim to help our customers generate new discoveries and applications in oncology, reproductive health, forensics, microbiology, and other key markets."

The NeoPrep System is designed for use with the Illumina portfolio of library preparation kits, supporting the most commonly used NGS applications on all Illumina sequencing systems. Each kit includes the library card as well as all reagents required to create NeoPrep libraries.