Twist Bioscience Launches New “PCR Free” Multiplexing Chemistries for Sequencing

10-31-23 (by: Scott Gleason) Twist Bioscience has launched its Twist Full-Length Unique Dual Index (UDI) Adapters. These adapters empower users to perform PCR-free whole genome sequencing (WGS) streamlining process workflow.

The Twist Full-Length UDI Adapters present a novel approach to library preparation for next-generation sequencing (NGS). They are designed to include UDI sequences alongside flow cell binding and sequencing priming sites. This combination allows researchers to undertake NGS library preparation in a single ligation step, thereby eliminating the need for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and amplification. This not only streamlines the library preparation process but also reduces hands-on time. Furthermore, it eliminates the introduction of potential sequence errors and artifacts that can occur during PCR amplification.

The Twist Full-Length UDI Adapters include up to 1536 UDIs allowing high levels of multiplexing by providing the barcoded indexes enable the individual tracking of samples. Multiplexing allows researchers to simultaneously test multiple samples, thereby lowering per-sample costs and improving overall efficiency.

Dr. Emily M. Leproust, CEO, and co-founder of Twist Bioscience, emphasized the company’s commitment to providing easy to use solutions, “With Twist Full Length UDI Adapters, we can enable PCR-free whole genome sequencing for our customers pursuing that approach, including our customers in Europe where PCR-free WGS has gained traction.”