Yourgene Health uses Ranger® Technology in our next generation size selection instruments to deliver dynamic target enrichment of DNA.
Core automated size selection functionality is complemented by the ability to perform fragment length analysis and fluorescence assays for next-generation sequencing (NGS) quality control applications.
Ranger® Technology has so far been deployed to power multiple solutions across our instrumentation portfolio, with applications from oncology, gene synthesis, non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) and beyond.
Yourgene Health offer a range of state-of-the-art DNA sample preparation platforms that are powered by Ranger® Technology: NIMBUS Select and LightBench®.
| Ranger® Technology |
LighBench®
RUO Application
|
LightBench Discover
Research Application Platform
|
NIMBUS® Select
High-Throughput Platform
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
| Application: NIPT | |||
| Application: Oncology | |||
| Application: Gene Synthesis | |||
| Application: Long-Read Sequencing | |||
| Functionality: Size Selection | |||
| Functionality: Fragment Length Analysis | |||
| Functionality: Fluorometric Assay | |||
| Throughput: Number of samples per run | 12 | 12 | 96 |
Combined with our dual reference size markers, which can be selected in line with the target of interest, ensures Ranger® Technology achieves a repeatable, high precision of 97%.
In terms of recovery, we have high intrinsic recovery and resulting yields, which can result in higher enrichment of the DNA fragments of interest, and also achieve reduced noise in subsequent sequencing data.
Ranger® Technology offers a fast, effective and efficient automated solution for separating DNA molecules based on their size and electrical charge; it uses a patent-protected, machine-vision algorithms to interpret the gel electrophoresis process in real time.
The high precision imaging feeds data into the algorithms which cleverly interpret the DNA separation process. The voltage is modulated per channel to control migration of DNA which ensures recovery yields are consistently over 70%. Extraction volumes can be kept to under 35 µL volumes to ensure a high concentration of DNA for downstream processing.
As well as size selection Ranger® Technology also offers the ability to perform fragment length analysis and sample quantification with fluorescence-based assays. This results in time and reagent savings, allowing for accurate DNA quantification that can be integrated with automated workflows, giving better quality control of your samples.
Ranger® Technology offers industry-leading scalability and precision for the size selection process, ensuring maximal enrichment, every time. Providing clinical and research laboratories with true walk away time, reducing workflow costs and improving yields.
Ranger® for NIPT
The introduction of non-invasive methods like liquid biopsy that use cell-free DNA for molecular diagnostics has been of growing interest in prenatal investigations. The analysis of cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) in blood can provide valuable genomic information for healthcare professionals without the need for invasive procedures like amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling (CVS).
In a lucky circumstance of biology, cffDNA is biased towards a shorter fragment length (typically <140 bp in length) than cell-free maternal DNA (typically >150 bp).
Ranger® Technology allows us to preferentially select for shorter fragments more likely to be fetal in origin for non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) investigations.
Figure one: The primary distribution profile for all cell free DNA fragments in a maternal blood sample are shown in blue. Once the size selection range is applied (grey) the output from the Ranger instruments is fragments of fetal origin only (orange). Size selection ensures reproducibility in biomarker enrichment.
Introducing Ranger® Size Selection
Size selection allows isolation and enrichment of the fetal fraction (FF%) from maternal blood. Enriching based on size allows us to increase FF% by at least two-fold.
Doubling fetal fraction can help overcome challenges of sample validity in NIPT investigations by:
- Salvaging FF% in samples that are too low to meet minimum input thresholds due to maternal DNA contamination
- Eliminating failures due to low FF% and reduces the need for redraws
EDTA Capability with Ranger® Technology
This also demonstrates the efficacy of size selection as a means to extend storage of NIPT samples in EDTA vacutainers up to 8 hours, which:
- Allows for a more flexible workflow and greater choice of blood collection tube for clinicians
- Permits savings on costly blood stabilisation tubes
- Reduces unnecessary anxiety as a result of a delayed result
Join the Ranger® Revolution
Yourgene Health offer a range of platforms that are powered by Ranger® Technology.
Regardless of your NIPT application or throughput requirements, we have a solution for you:
• LightBench® powered by Ranger® Technology (for up to 12 samples)
• NIMBUS Select powered by Ranger® Technology (for up to 96 samples – High Throughput)
Ranger® for Gene Synthesis
Gene synthesis is the foundation of the new field of Synthetic Biology, and is powering novel findings across research disciplines. These disciplines enhance our knowledge of biological processes and generate products which greatly improve our lives, fast-tracking our abilities in vaccine production, gene therapy, data storage and CRISPR editing.
Gene synthesis can construct a wide variety of types of DNA sequences without a template, simplifying the creation of DNA tools that can be produced to aid diverse research applications.
However, many high-value target sequences (inserts) that come from gene synthesis are greater than 3 kbp (30,000 bp) in length. This level of complexity greatly complicates synthesis and increases the risk of introducing impurities into the process.
Introducing Ranger® Size Selection
Due to the inherent potential for error in each step of gene synthesis, all synthetic sequences should be verified before use.
When longer DNA constructs are needed, Ranger® Technology can help greatly improve the efficiency of this critical step, drastically reducing the turnaround time and revolutionising the traditional approach to gene synthesis.
Size Selection is about enriching and purifying; preferentially selecting material of interest by differentiating based on size. We can use size selection to minimise noise associated with truncation products, recovering the full length DNA construct of interest only.
Ranger® Size Selection employs machine vision in scalable electrophoresis to:
- Affirm insert purity
- Isolate inserts from off-target impurities
Graphic shows :Using machine vision and voltage control, Ranger® employs dynamic voltage adjustment across all channels for synchronised arrival of desired fragment sizes at extraction wells.
Join the Ranger® Revolution
Yourgene Health offer a range of platforms that are powered by Ranger® Technology.
Regardless of your gene synthesis needs, we have a solution for you:
- LightBench® powered by Ranger® Technology (for up to 12 samples)
- NIMBUS Select powered by Ranger® Technology (for up to 96 samples – High Throughput)
A Ranger® Technology Application: Synthetic Biology and Gene Synthesis
Read about how dozens of organisations are already benefitting from using Ranger® Technology’s size selection function for synthetic biology and gene synthesis applications in our latest Your Expert article.
Co-Creator of Ranger®, Matthew Nesbitt, discusses how Ranger® Technology can help overcome issues in traditional gene synthesis and synthetic biology applications.
Ranger® for Long-Read Sequencing
Long fragment sequencing applications could help us advance genomics by resolving some of the most challenging regions of the human genome, discerning previously inaccessible structural variants and making sense of the deserts of non-coding material. By offering greater context, the full spectrum of genetic variation could be revealed by utilising longer fragments, giving opportunities for the discovery of novel mechanisms of disease.
DNA size selection can exclude short fragments to accelerate long fragment sequencing research. The process maximises data yields by ensuring those fragments with the most informational content are not blocked from accessing detection centres (i.e. nanopores and/or zero mode waveguides) by shorter DNA fragments.
PacBio Compatible Partner
The LightBench®, powered by Ranger® Technology, is a three-in-one instrument offering automated DNA size selection, fragment length analysis and fluorometric quantification. It isolates size ranges of target DNA with industry-leading recovery and precision.
LightBench® excludes smaller fragments, optimising long read inputs to deliver increased mean HiFi read lengths and data yields for the Pacific Biosciences sequencer platforms. To support an automated PacBio library prep workflow, the LightBench® can be integrated into 3rd party liquid handling systems thanks to its SiLA 2-compliant API.
Click to read the press release: Yourgene Health Becomes a PacBio Compatible Partner: Enabling PacBio Customers to Optimise Size Selection for Long-Read Sequencing Libraries
Quality Control and Size Selection for PacBio® Long-read Sequencing using the LightBench® Discover at HudsonAlpha’s CoLab
HudsonAlpha’s CoLab has successfully implemented the LightBench® Discover in their PacBio WGS workflow, using it for precise gel-based size selection and fragment length quality control of all samples. Gel-based size selection on the LightBench® Discover consistently removes DNA fragments <10 kb, increasing mean HiFi read lengths. The fragment length distribution data informs real-time decisions at key stages in the workflow, including assessment of HMW DNA quality, confirmation of DNA shearing, and verification of the final DNA library size and quality. The LightBench® Discover offers a reliable solution for integrated size-selection and quality control in long-read sequencing applications.
PacBio Tech Note
SIZE SELECTION OF HIFI LIBRARIES WITH THE LIGHTBENCH INSTRUMENT FROM YOURGENE HEALTH
In this Tech note, we can see how the improved average HiFi data output of >100Gb achievable on the PacBio Revio system is attributable to LightBench and its next-generation DNA size selection function.
How can we help?
If you have a question or would like to learn more about our products and services, we're here to help.