Accelerate SARS-CoV-2 Genomic Surveillance With Rapid, High-Throughput NGS

With new SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern emerging globally, implementing effective public health measures is truly a race against time. Rapid, high-throughput NGS can provide real-time insights into the prevalence of new and existing variants within the population, allowing you stay one step ahead. To help labs ramp up SARS-CoV-2 whole genome sequencing, QIAGEN has developed the QIAseq DIRECT SARS-CoV-2 Kit – a single-box, high-performance NGS solution for SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance and variant detection. This dramatically faster, high-throughput SARS-CoV-2 NGS solution enables targeted whole genome library preparation of SARS-CoV-2, allowing labs to accelerate sequencing efforts. QIAseq DIRECT SARS-CoV-2 libraries are compatible with Illumina NGS platforms, including iSeq 100, MiniSeq, MiSeq, NextSeq 500/550, HiSeq 2500, HiSeq 3000/4000 and NovaSeq 6000.

Why choose the QIAseq DIRECT SARS-CoV-2 Kit?
Use our ultrafast, high-throughput, single-box NGS solution if you want to maximize efficiency, ramp up your sequencing capability and ensure superior coverage to accelerate variant detection.

Key performance attributes:

• Fast, 4-hour workflow

No need for fragmentation, tagmentation or ligation steps. The streamlined enrichment and library prep workflow can be readily automated, allowing you to go from purified RNA to sequence.

• Superior uniformity and better coverage

The QIAseq DIRECT SARS-CoV-2 Kit is designed for optimal performance on short-read sequencing platforms. It generates amplicons that are approximately 250 bp, compared to 400 bp amplicons produced by alternative methods, resulting in shorter amplicons that don't require fragmentation. The kit generates high-yield, similar-sized libraries that lead to performance improvements in sequence uniformity and overall read depth.

• Up to 768 samples multiplexed per lane or flow cell

The QIAseq DIRECT SARS-CoV-2 Kit enables multiplexing on high-throughput Illumina instruments, such as the NovaSeq (up to 768 samples per lane of an Illumina flow cell). This multiplexing improves scalability and efficiency.

• Approximately 50% reduction in plasticware use

Compared to current ARTIC-based workflows, the QIAseq DIRECT SARS-CoV-2 Kit requires ~50% less plasticware, such as tips.

• High-quality, single-box solution

Target amplification of SARS-CoV-2 requires both reverse transcription and whole genome enrichment of the viral RNA. The QIAseq DIRECT SARS-CoV-2 Kit is a single-box solution for generating whole genome libraries that are sequencing-ready and compatible with all Illumina platforms.

Data analysis 

When paired with QIAGEN CLC Genomics Workbench, the panel delivers data that can be quickly analyzed. Sequence data can be used to identify variants across different samples and also to compare with multiple genomes – from consensus reference genomes to one of many genomes that have been uploaded from around the world.

Applications

The QIAseq DIRECT SARS-CoV-2 Kit can be used to achieve uniform coverage of the SARS-CoV-2 viral genome for epidemiological research and genomic surveillance purposes. 

For up-to-date licensing information and product-specific disclaimers, see the respective QIAGEN kit handbook or user manual. QIAGEN kit handbooks and user manuals are available at www.qiagen.com or can be requested from QIAGEN Technical Services or your local distributor.