(1181-B) Improving High-Throughput Automated NGS Library Generation in a Core Sequencing Lab

Abstract: Researchers from the Biopolymers Genomics Core Facility (BPF) at Harvard Medical School present their work automating the versatile NEBNext UltraExpress DNA Library Prep Kit using SPT Labtech’s firefly® liquid handling platform to generate high-quality libraries for next-generation sequencing from a broad input range of DNA. The accessible, streamlined NEBNext UltraExpress workflow in tandem with user-friendly firefly creates accessible means for generating NGS libraries for Illumina DNA sequencing. The ease of use of firefly has allowed the NEBNext UltraExpress kit to be easily written and optimized for automation and to facilitate a more productive sequencing service.

The BPF is an academic core facility service center in the Department of Genetics at Harvard Medical School. Through the University's partnerships with surrounding hospitals and research organizations, the BPF serves labs throughout the Boston and Cambridge Area, and at schools, universities, and biotechnology companies from across the world.