Quality Control Essentials for Next-Generation Sequencing Workflows

Like all molecular biology applications, next-generation sequencing (NGS) workflows require diligent quality control (QC) measures to ensure accurate and reproducible results. Proper QC begins at nucleic acid extraction and continues all the way through to data analysis. This article outlines the key QC steps in an NGS workflow, along with the commonly used tools and techniques.

Nucleic Acid Quality Control
Preparing for NGS starts with isolating the...

In recent years, precision medicine has become a major focus for researchers and healthcare professionals. This approach offers personalized treatment and wellness plans by utilizing insights from each person's unique biology and lifestyle to deliver more effective care. Its advancement relies on innovative technologies that enable a deeper understanding of individual variability. In a joint documentary with our colleagues at Biocompare, we examined the foundational principles of precision...

Spatial biology is an exciting field that encompasses a wide range of techniques and technologies aimed at mapping the organization and interactions of various biomolecules in their native environments. As this area of research progresses, new tools and methodologies are being introduced, accompanied by efforts to establish benchmarking standards and drive technological innovation.

3D Genomics
While spatial biology often involves studying proteins and RNAs in their...

Many organizations study rare diseases, but few have a mission as impactful as Rady Children’s Institute for Genomic Medicine (RCIGM). “We are all about changing outcomes for children,” explained Dr. Stephen Kingsmore, President and CEO of the group. The institute’s initial goal was to provide rapid diagnoses for critically ill children and shorten their diagnostic odyssey, a term used to describe the long and arduous process it takes patients to obtain an accurate...

Innovations in next-generation sequencing technologies and techniques are driving more precise and comprehensive exploration of complex biological systems. Current advancements include improved accessibility for long-read sequencing and significant progress in single-cell and 3D genomics. This article explores some of the most impactful developments in the field over the past year.

Long-Read Sequencing
Long-read sequencing has seen remarkable advancements,...

The field of immunogenetics explores how genetic variations influence immune responses and susceptibility to disease. In a recent SEQanswers webinar, Oscar Rodriguez, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Louisville, and Ruben Martínez Barricarte, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Medicine at Vanderbilt University, shared recent advancements in immunogenetics. This article discusses their research on genetic variation in antibody loci, antibody production processes,...

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) are essential techniques for investigating the genome, transcriptome, and epigenome. In many cases, choosing the appropriate technique is straightforward, but in others, it can be more challenging to determine the most effective option. A simple distinction is that smaller, more focused projects are typically better suited for qPCR, while larger, more complex datasets benefit from NGS. However,...

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) do not code for proteins but play important roles in numerous cellular processes including gene silencing, developmental pathways, and more. There are numerous types including microRNA (miRNA), long ncRNA (lncRNA), circular RNA (circRNA), and more. In this article, we discuss innovative ncRNA research and explore recent technological advancements that improve the study of ncRNAs.

Nobel Prize for MicroRNA Discovery
This week,...

Metagenomics has improved the way researchers study microorganisms across diverse environments. Historically, studying microorganisms relied on culturing them in the lab, a method that limits the investigation of many species since most are unculturable¹. Metagenomics overcomes these issues by allowing the study of microorganisms regardless of their ability to be cultured or the environments they inhabit. Over time, the field has evolved, especially with the advent...

During the COVID-19 pandemic, scientists observed that while some individuals experienced severe illness when infected with SARS-CoV-2, others were barely affected. These disparities left researchers and clinicians wondering what causes the wide variations in response to viral infections and what role genetics plays.

Jean-Laurent Casanova, M.D., Ph.D., Professor at Rockefeller University, is a leading expert in this crossover between genetics and infectious...