
QIAGEN Announces Launch of New Sample-to-Answer Microbiome Research Solution
11-7-23 (by Scott Gleason) QIAGEN has announced the launch of Microbiome WGS SeqSets. This comprehensive Sample to Insight workflow is designed to simplify and expedite microbiome research, covering all aspects from DNA extraction to bioinformatics analysis. The newly introduced workflow aims to streamline the intricate steps involved in sample extraction, next-generation sequencing (NGS) library preparation, and user-friendly bioinformatics analysis. The current microbiome research market is estimated to be $300 to $400 million globally but growing at a high double-digit rate.
The Microbiome WGS SeqSets uses QIAGEN’s industry-leading extraction technology, includes NGS library preparation, and bioinformatics tools for data analysis. The Microbiome WGS SeqSets includes the QIAamp PowerFecal Pro WGS SeqSets and the DNeasy PowerSoil Pro WGS SeqSets, offering unified solutions for gut and soil samples. The bioinformatic tools facilitate taxonomic identification of microbes, offers a detailed breakdown of microbial species, and supports antimicrobial resistance (AMR) analysis for identifying antibiotic resistance genes. Users can generate publication-ready data and figures with ease and speed. Qiagen noted the solutions have been carefully designed to address several critical challenges often faced by researchers in the field, including DNA extraction bias, complex library preparation, and the need for bioinformatics expertise. Microbiome research is highly specialized and specialty testing laboratories have been working to establish reference standards for testing given variability in the levels of bacterial fauna in different samples and high background noise.
Nitin Sood, Senior Vice President and Head of the Life Sciences Business Area at QIAGEN, expressed the significance of this innovation, saying, “Our Microbiome WGS SeqSets provide a complete Sample to Insight solution that combines our industry-leading extraction technology with easy-to-use downstream NGS library preparation and intuitive bioinformatics. This streamlined workflow addresses challenges such as DNA extraction bias, library preparation complexity, and bioinformatics expertise, allowing researchers to focus on their scientific discoveries while we enable a smooth and reliable process.”