Fluidigm releases amplicon tagging protocol for Illumina GA II next-generation sequencer

Fluidigm Corporation today announced the release of its amplicon tagging protocol for the Illumina GA II next-generation sequencer. The 48.48 Access Array integrated fluidic circuit (IFC) allows Illumina GA II users to automatically prepare sequencing-ready libraries from 48 individual samples at a time, for as little as $7 (U.S.) per sample.

“Fluidigm’s Access Array system is a unique platform that allows users to prepare sequencing-ready libraries for major next-generation sequencers, such as the Illumina GA II, at a fraction of the cost when compared to traditional methods”

Fluidigm’s Access Array IFC, when used with an Illumina GA II sequencer, can capture up to 12 kb of sequence data per sample, or 576 kb per array. With upcoming applications on the Access Array system, such as long range PCR, users will be able to target up to 480 kb of sequence data per sample, or 23MB per array.

“Fluidigm’s Access Array system is a unique platform that allows users to prepare sequencing-ready libraries for major next-generation sequencers, such as the Illumina GA II, at a fraction of the cost when compared to traditional methods,” said Mike Lee, Fluidigm’s Senior Director of Marketing. “Fluidigm's Access Array system allows for different approaches to targeted sequence enrichment enabling researchers to choose the sequencer of their choice.”

Sequencing library preparation for next-generation sequencers is by far the most time and labor intensive component of the entire next-generation sequencing process. While typically necessary for whole genome sequencing studies, library preparation can be almost entirely eliminated for targeted re-sequencing projects through the use of amplicon tagging. By incorporating adaptor sequences into the primer design, Access Array’s PCR-based output is ready to go into a GA II flowcell because the necessary capture sequences have already been incorporated.

Fluidigm’s Access Array is the first integrated fluidic circuit that features the capability of harvesting a processed sample out of the chip. Once the sample processing has been completed, the Access Array chip automatically returns the processed sample to ports where it can be easily extracted and readied for sequencing.