Hilden, Germany, and Germantown, Maryland, Oct. 11, 2018 – QIAGEN N.V. (NYSE: QGEN; Frankfurt Prime Standard: QIA) today announced the launch of a breakthrough technology enabling faster, simpler library preparation for RNA sequencing. A key element of this portfolio is the QIAseq FastSelect RNA Removal Kit which provides a novel solution for scientists to target RNA types that are irrelevant to their research and remove them from RNA-seq libraries for next-generation sequencing (NGS). The global market size for library preparation kits for RNA-seq is believed to be about $400 million.
In addition to a highly competitive and differentiated line of RNA-seq solutions, several other QIAGEN solutions for accurate, efficient NGS will be showcased at ASHG 2018, the conference of the American Society of Human Genetics from October 16-20 in San Diego. In addition, more than 15 studies relying upon QIAseq solutions, the GeneReader NGS System and other QIAGEN Sample to Insight products will be presented in ASHG 2018 scientific sessions, demonstrating the unique positioning of QIAGEN in this rapidly growing market of next generation sequencing.
“The QIAseq FastSelect RNA Removal Kit allows rapid selective removal of RNA classes from any sample, even the most difficult FFPE samples, enabling researchers to attain high quality, reproducible RNA sequencing results while at the same time minimizing time requirements and cost. The QIAseq Fastselect RNA kit can accomplish in one simple workflow step what current RNA sequencing library preparation solutions achieve in over 30 steps. By using a range of proprietary, novel technologies, the QIAseq FastSelect RNA Removal kit therefore radically simplifies and speeds up RNA removal. Off-the-shelf options include rRNA or globin mRNA removal, while custom RNA removal solutions for selected transcripts can be designed by QIAGEN.” said Dr. Thomas Schweins, Senior Vice President of QIAGEN’s Life Sciences Business Area. “QIAGEN has built a global leadership position in universal solutions for RNA sequencing, and the introduction of QIAseq FastSelect for use on any NGS platform addresses a critical bottleneck for researchers and contributes to QIAGEN’s significant opportunities in the very large market of RNA sequencing library preparation solutions. We are pleased to offer this valuable addition to our Sample to Insight portfolio for next-generation sequencing laboratories in the life sciences.”
Ribonucleic acid, or RNA, controls many genetic processes at the cellular level and is a growing subject for NGS research, but the process of library preparation often is slowed by some RNA types that are abundant in cells but irrelevant to the specific research. With QIAseq FastSelect Kits, scientists can exclude specific targets such as ribosomal RNA (rRNA) or globin for human, mouse or rat samples, or use QIAGEN’s custom design service to enable removal of specific RNAs for additional species and targets. A simple one-step, 20-minute incubation with the FastSelect RNA removal reagent during RNA fragmentation and cDNA synthesis effectively reduces the targeted RNA for removal to 1% or less.
QIAseq FastSelect RNA Removal Kits complement QIAGEN’s expanding portfolio of RNA-seq solutions, including the QIAseq UPX 3’ Transcriptome/Targeted RNAseq Kits for ultraplex RNA-seq NGS libraries from single cells or low RNA-input samples; QIAseq miRNA Library Kit for small RNA sequencing with a gel-free workflow; QIAseq Stranded Library Kits that allow stranded RNA sequencing with an innovative and fast workflow (less than 5 hours); and QIAseq Immune Repertoire kits for T-cell receptor clonotyping.
QIAGEN’s QIAseq portfolio focuses on providing precise NGS data by incorporation of unique molecular indexes (UMIs) and advanced data analysis for alignment and interpretation. For more information on QIAGEN NGS technologies, application focus and the new FastSelect kits, please visit www.qiagen.com/
A few key abstracts and times for presentation of QIAGEN-related studies at ASHG 2018:
- Scientists with QIAGEN Bioinformatics compared results of automated variant classification using QIAGEN Clinical Insight (QCI) software with ENIGMA expert panel assessments of BRCA1 and BRCA2 variants in 6,154 cases, demonstrating a 99.6% rate of concordance with respect to clinical actionability. (PgmNr 969: “Automated classification of BRCA1 and BRCA2 variants shows near perfect concordance with ENIGMA expert panel assessments,” 2:00-3:00 p.m. Friday Oct. 19.)
- QIAGEN researchers conducted a systematic evaluation of errors caused by library construction and sequencing methodology to identify and minimize physical and computational errors in NGS libraries, allowing reliable calling of mutations at levels far below the typical 1% limit. (PgmNr 3052/T: “Advances in targeted NGS: Towards robust ultralow mutation detection in small and large DNA panels,” 3:00-4:00 p.m. Thursday Oct. 18.)
- QIAGEN researchers describe a high-throughput 3’ RNA-seq library prep methodology called QIAseq Ultraplex to analyze the heterogeneity of an ostensibly uniform population of cancer cells, identifying unique signatures of genes that drive cellular clustering. (PgmNr 923, “High-throughput, reduction transcriptomics, using ultraplex RNA sequencing,” 2:00-3:00 p.m. Friday Oct. 19.)
About QIAGEN
QIAGEN N.V., a Netherlands-based holding company, is the leading global provider of Sample to Insight solutions that enable customers to gain valuable molecular insights from samples containing the building blocks of life. Our sample technologies isolate and process DNA, RNA and proteins from blood, tissue and other materials. Assay technologies make these biomolecules visible and ready for analysis. Bioinformatics software and knowledge bases interpret data to report relevant, actionable insights. Automation solutions tie these together in seamless and cost-effective workflows. QIAGEN provides solutions to more than 500,000 customers around the world in Molecular Diagnostics (human healthcare), Applied Testing (primarily forensics), Pharma (pharma and biotech companies) and Academia (life sciences research). As of June 30, 2018, QIAGEN employed approximately 4,800 people in over 35 locations worldwide. Further information can be found at http://www.qiagen.com.
Forward-Looking Statement
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