Reproducibility is one of the biggest challenges in NGS sample preparation. Variability in liquid handling, manual magnetic bead purification steps and increasingly complex workflows can all have a detrimental impact on sequencing results. The MAGFLO NGS magnetic beads, along with INTEGRA’s portfolio of liquid handling and automation solutions, help to address these challenges and simplify genomics workflows. Together, these technologies enable laboratories to reduce manual interventions, improve reproducibility and increase throughput.

Improving reproducibility in NGS library preparation

Reproducibility is a particular concern during library prep, where variations in liquid handling and processing can impact downstream sequencing results. For example, many magnetic bead products require refrigerated storage and equilibration to room temperature before use, a process that introduces additional preparation steps and potentially increases variability. MAGFLO NGS magnetic beads are stable at room temperature for up to 18 months, helping to reduce preparation time and maintain consistent bead-to-sample ratios.

Dr Dagmara Lewandowska, Product Manager for NGS at INTEGRA Biosciences, explained: “Room temperature stable MAGFLO NGS beads mean that labs can avoid waiting for equilibration and this reduces variability in their bead-to-sample ratios. The beads are also RNase free, making them suitable for RNA workflows, and batches undergo rigorous quality control testing to ensure they meet the requirements for size selection applications before reaching customers.”

Simplifying magnetic bead-based workflows with automation

Automating magnetic bead handling can also significantly improve workflow consistency by reducing the variability associated with manual processing. MAGFLO NGS magnetic beads can be used with INTEGRA's MAG and HEATMAG modules, which streamline magnetic bead separation and purification steps, minimizing bead loss and carryover. These modules have magnets that move up and down – as the plate stays in place – all within a compact footprint to save valuable space and they integrate easily with other platforms. Dagmara explained: “The MAG modules enable easier and more reliable pipetting without any bead loss for more reproducible results. They do this by conveniently collecting the pellet in one corner of the well using vertical movement of magnetic rods. For workflows requiring temperature control, the HEATMAG module combines magnetic separation with heating capabilities, enabling applications such as heated lysis during nucleic acid extraction or optimized elution conditions to improve nucleic acid recovery.”

These modules can be used in combination with the ASSIST PLUS pipetting robot, and a VIAFLO lightweight electronic pipette or VOYAGER adjustable tip spacing pipette. This enables fully walk-away magnetic bead-based purification without the need for costly grippers and robotic arms. The D-ONE single channel pipetting module can also be mounted onto the ASSIST PLUS for normalization and pooling after library prep. From the outset, INTEGRA developed MAGFLO NGS beads to offer customers a tested and calibrated end-to-end package of instrumentation and reagents for NGS that is ready to use, all from one trusted supplier.

Supporting every stage of the NGS workflow

INTEGRA's liquid handling solutions can be used at every stage of low- and medium-throughput NGS workflows. Extraction and isolation can be streamlined using the ASSIST PLUS, VOYAGER and HEATMAG module, and library preparation workflows can be automated using the SWITCH hybrid pipette alongside the MAG module for size selection and clean up. For sequencing-ready sample preparation, the ASSIST PLUS can be combined with VOYAGER pipettes for quantification or the D-ONE module for normalization and pooling, helping laboratories to efficiently generate sequencing-ready libraries.

Delivering reproducible sequencing results

Customer feedback has highlighted the importance of the reproducibility provided by MAGFLO NGS magnetic beads, alongside INTEGRA’s liquid handling solutions. Early evaluations of the magnetic beads with an ASSIST PLUS and MAG module demonstrated highly consistent size selection, with fragment sizes closely matching target specifications and exhibiting minimal variation. This automated workflow also produced higher library concentrations and lower variability compared to alternative approaches. Similarly, sequencing results generated more reads and showed improved reproducibility relative to results generated when using manual preparation methods.

Dagmara reflected on the feedback: “The reaction from users has been overwhelmingly positive, with customers highlighting the quality of the beads and their ability to deliver consistent, reproducible sequencing results. Many have also praised the time savings and convenience offered by automated, hands-free sample preparation.”

Driving innovation in NGS sample preparation

Dagmara concluded: “Our goal is to provide laboratories with high quality, practical solutions that simplify existing complex workflows. Our magnetic beads fulfil this brief, as they pair with our automated liquid handling technologies for more reproducible results. This great combination meets the needs of our customers in the genomics space and highlights our position in the NGS market.”

To learn more about MAGFLO NGS magnetic beads, please visit: www.integra-biosciences.com/en/ngspcr-purification/magflotm-ngs