Dedicated to innovation that unlocks transformative discoveries
The seqWell journey of innovation began by harnessing the power of tagmentation – the simultaneous fragmenting and tagging (ligating NGS adapter sequences) of DNA – to replace traditional library preparation methods that use complex and lengthy protocols that can limit the reach of NGS.
seqWell has continued to innovate in many areas with a number of first-in-class products including:
Enzyme Innovation
TnX, next generation transposase …don’t be so biased
TnX, seqWell’s next generation transposase, was developed using fit-for-purpose engineering that targeted improvements in 3 key enzyme attributes: activity, insertion bias and robustness. These improved attributes translate into enhanced sequencing performance by improving NGS data quality and uniformity.
Directed evolution targeting 3 key attributes: enzyme activity, insertion bias and robustness
The approach taken used advanced machine-learning tools to correlate sequence analysis of content-rich, in silico-designed variant libraries with performance data in multiple assays to optimize the desired attributes in parallel.
Better transposase, better libraries, better NGS
Reduced insertion site bias
Read start site insertion bias was measured by examining the frequency of bases in the first 9 bases of each read. Positions with higher per-base nucleotide bias are represented by heights for hyperactive Tn5 and TnX, and illustrate the reduced bias of TnX.
Improved uniformity of coverage
Library preparation of pMal-c6T plasmid DNA was performed using the ExpressPlex 2.0 kit or a hyperactive Tn5-based competitor kit using standard manufacturer’s protocols. Libraries were sequenced using an Illumina MiSeq.
Products powered by TnX
ExpressPlex 2.0 – one-step single reaction library preparation for plasmid and amplicon screening
Tagify Custom-loaded Transposase Reagents – TnX loaded with universal adapters, i5/i7 adapters, UMIs or customer-specified oligos – used for sensititive targeted gene editing QC analysis assays, as well as other custom assays.
Addressing Sequencing Innovation
Making short work of long reads
Long-read sequencing is a powerful genomic tool that provides deeper insights beyond the reach of traditional short-read technologies. seqWell developed the LongPlex Long Fragment Multiplexing kit to address the need for simpler, more scalable workflows for long read sequencing. LongPlex is a unique tagmentation-based product specifically designed for long-read sequencing, building on seqWell’s expertise in the creation of streamlined, multiplexing workflows. LongPlex fragmentation and multiplexing upstream of long read adapter ligation enables researchers to realize the full potential of long-read sequencing by providing the speed, simplicity and scalability previously unattainable via traditional DNA shearing workflows.
Workflow Innovation
One-step Library Prep
Our foundational products, including plexWell and purePlex, use a multi-step library preparation workflow in which a single or multiple tagging reactions are followed by pooling and purification prior to library amplification. These workflows can be completed in 3 hours or less with only 45-50 minutes of hands-on time, while providing the scalability and auto-normalization to produce highly multiplexed libraries.
seqWell’s continued workflow innovation produced the ExpressPlex one-step library prep workflow in which both tagging and amplification is performed in a single step with a total workflow time of approximately 90 minutes and only 20 – 30 minutes of hands on time. When combined with over 6,000 barcodes, this workflow allows for massive sample multiplexing and ultra-high throughput plasmid and amplicon screening. Most recently the one-step library workflow was combined with Tnx to create ExpressPlex 2.0 which has the workflow simplicity and scalability combined with the improved performance of TnX.
Meetings the application needs of tomorrow
Drawing on tagmentation, scalability, and multiplexing expertise
seqWell continually seeks novel ways to bring the many benefits of scalable tagmentation to an expanding list of applications so that every life scientist can unlock transformative discoveries with sequencing.
Trending area of NGS application: Gene editing QC analysis
Gene editing tools like CRISPR, transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) and zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs) have the potential to transform lives. Performing gene editing quality control (QC) to eliminate errors, however, is crucial to ensuring research integrity and patient safety. Tagmentation-based assays are increasingly utilized in sensitive gene editing QC methods such as UDiTaS.
seqWell expanded its Tagify reagent portfolio to include fully-QC’d UMI adapter-loaded transposases to drive simple, scalable, and reliable targeted sequence analysis with the quality needed to accelerate the robust and reproducible implementation of genome editing QC assays.
The fast-moving field of genome editing analysis is in its infancy, as reseachers seekways to standardize on- and off-target gene editing QC methods and read outs. seqWell is a proud member of the NIST Genome Editing Consortium that is dedicated to addressing the measurements and standards needed to increase confidence and lower the risk of utilizing genome editing technologies in both research and commercial products.
Blogs of Interest
seqWell™ Library Preparation Kits and Reagents
Our library prep and multiplexing kits are available to support all your short and long-read sequencing applications.