Open AccessAG-NGS: A powerful and user-friendly computing application for the semi-automated preparation of next-generation sequencing libraries using open liquid handling platforms
Author(s) -
Sergio Callejas,
Rebeca Álvarez,
Alberto Benguría,
Ana Dopazo
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
biotechniques/biotechniques
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.617
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1940-9818
pISSN - 0736-6205
DOI - 10.2144/000114124
Subject(s) - workflow , automation , computer science , dna sequencing , laboratory automation , quality (philosophy) , open source , software engineering , operating system , database , software , engineering , biology , dna , mechanical engineering , genetics , philosophy , epistemology
Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is becoming one of the most widely used technologies in the field of genomics. Library preparation is one of the most critical, hands-on, and time-consuming steps in the NGS workflow. Each library must be prepared in an independent well, increasing the number of hours required for a sequencing run and the risk of human-introduced error. Automation of library preparation is the best option to avoid these problems. With this in mind, we have developed automatic genomics NGS (AG-NGS), a computing application that allows an open liquid handling platform to be transformed into a library preparation station without losing the potential of an open platform. Implementation of AG-NGS does not require programming experience, and the application has also been designed to minimize implementation costs. Automated library preparation with AG-NGS generated high-quality libraries from different samples, demonstrating its efficiency, and all quality control parameters fell within the range of optimal values.