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Automated, miniaturised library preparation

Leveraging the latest liquid handling platforms to reduce costs and sample input requirements.

The Centre for Genomic Research (CGR) offers miniaturised DNA and RNA library preparation workflows using automated liquid-handling platforms. By reducing reaction volumes, miniaturisation enables significant reagent cost savings and allows projects to process greater numbers of samples within available budgets while maintaining high-quality, reproducible sequencing data.

These workflows have been optimised and validated in-house to ensure reliable performance at reduced volumes, subject to appropriate sample quality.

 

Benefits of Miniaturisation

Miniaturised library preparation offers several advantages:

  • Reduced reagent consumption, resulting in cost savings
  • Ability to increase sample numbers within existing project budgets
  • Improved reproducibility through automated liquid handling
  • Efficient processing for pilot studies and large-scale projects
  • Reduced laboratory waste, supporting more sustainable research practices

 

Supported Library Preparation Protocols

Miniaturised workflows are currently available for:

  • NEBNext® Ultra™ II DNA FS Library Prep Kit
  • NEBNext® Ultra™ II Directional RNA Library Prep Kit in combination with a ribosomal RNA depletion kit
  • Metabarcoding library preparation

 

Our Platforms

Library preparation is performed using dedicated automated platforms to ensure precision and consistency:

  • DNA library preparation is carried out on the SPT Labtech Mosquito® platform.
  • RNA library preparation is carried out on the SPT Labtech Firefly® platform or Formulatrix F.A.S.T. platform.

Automation minimises technical variability and supports consistent processing across multiple samples.

 

Project Suitability and Sample Requirements

This service is available to internal and external academic users as well as industry partners. However, miniaturisation requires high-quality DNA or RNA input to ensure optimal performance.

All projects are discussed during a consultation with CGR staff, where sample quality, experimental design, and suitability for miniaturisation are assessed prior to proceeding. This ensures that miniaturised workflows are applied appropriately and aligned with the aims of each research project. To discuss whether miniaturised library preparation is suitable for your project, please contact us to arrange a consultation.