Ion AmpliSeq SARS-CoV-2 Insight Research Assay

Unlock low-titer samples with superior sensitivity and robust performance

The Ion AmpliSeq SARS-CoV-2 Insight Research Assay leverages a unique targeted sequencing approach that yields improved coverage and uniformity from samples previously unobtainable by NGS. Incorporation of intelligent panel design provides an increased resilience to new mutations introduced within the viral genome. Integrated analysis tools enable automated consensus sequence generation, mutation annotation, and lineage assignment.

To learn more about the Ion AmpliSeq SARS-CoV-2 Insight Research Assay from one of our technical specialists and to request project costs, submit a request below.

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Genome coverage and uniformity vs Ct value using the Ion AmpliSeq SARS-CoV-2 Insight Research Assay

Demonstrated >98% Reads on Target and coverage uniformity obtained from sequencing samples with low viral titer as indicated by real-time PCR results. Sample measurements represent N=2 and average Ct value was used in analysis. Libraries were generated using the Ion AmpliSeq SARS-CoV-2 Insight Research Assay manual preparation protocol and sequenced on a Ion 540 Chip. Data courtesy of Paris Demo Lab using nasopharyngeal swab samples from Laboratoire Départemental d'Analyses du Jura - Lda39.

For assay ordering information, select from the table below.

Ion AmpliSeq SARS-CoV-2 Insight Research Assay GS, manual

Consists of the Ion AmpliSeq SARS-CoV-2 Insight Research Panel and Ion AmpliSeq Library Kit Plus reagents for those performing manual library preparation

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Ion AmpliSeq SARS-CoV-2 Insight Research Assay GS, Chef-ready

Consists of the Ion AmpliSeq SARS-CoV-2 Insight Research Panel and the Ion AmpliSeq Kit for Chef DL8 for those utilizing the Ion Chef System for library preparation

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Ion AmpliSeq SARS-CoV-2 Insight Research Assay - GX

This assay is compatible with the Genexus Integrated Sequencer, which performs library preparation, sequencing, analysis, and reporting in an automated sample-to-result workflow

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Ion Torrent targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology enables a streamlined research workflow for complete viral genome sequencing and variant detection for epidemiological studies of SARS-CoV-2.

The Ion AmpliSeq SARS-CoV-2 Insight Research Assay consists of two pools with amplicons ranging from 125 bp to 275 bp in length and covers >99% of the SARS-CoV-2 genome, including all serotypes. The assay is part of a fast, automated, and accurate targeted NGS workflow that enables coronavirus typing in under a day. This end-to-end solution includes the assay and plug-in suite that was developed in collaboration with researchers at the forefront of the SARS-CoV-2 crisis. Our complementary targeted NGS systems makes SARS-COV-2 epidemiology research accessible to any lab, regardless of your team’s current level of NGS expertise.

Learn about importance of targeted NGS for emerging research applications in SARS-CoV-2 epidemiology and transmission studies

Benefits of using Ion Torrent NGS for SARS-CoV-2 research:

Rapid turnaround time
Highly automated NGS workflow—for easier adoption, lower user intervention, and improved lab efficiency
Accuracy of variants—lower substitution errors for SNVs
Higher success rates—analyze samples directly with lower viral loads (as low as 20 copies)

The panel can be used for the following types of research applications:

Viral identification and lifecycle
Viral genome sequencing
Viral surveillance and epidemiology research

Webinar: SARS-CoV-2 Research: Implications of Viral Sequencing—The Children's Hospital Los Angeles Experience

In this webinar, Dr. Timothy J. Triche MD, PhD, Co-Director of Center for Personalized Medicine at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA), shares how he and his team used sequencing data generated from the Ion AmpliSeq SARS-CoV-2 Research Panel to analyze phylogenetic relationships among a cluster of six SARS-CoV-2-positive samples. By identifying two distinct lineages between the two sets, the team was able to conclude that the source of transmission wasn’t shared. Comparative analysis showed that, not unexpectedly, the mother and son had nearly identical strains of the virus that originated in Utah, with links to Europe, while the four health care workers had strains only distantly related to each other and to the family. This confirmed that there was no transmission between the patient family and the health care workers. Further, the health care workers acquired the virus from community spread and not from the patient and family member. "The NGS sequence data permitted Children's Hospital Los Angeles to draw conclusions within 48 hours of sample procurement from the six individuals. This information gave leaders at our institution greater confidence in our ability to provide a safe environment for our patients and our team members."

Additional topics include: Ion AmpliSeq panel workflow, uniformity and coverage performance, limit of detection and sensitivity metrics, and integrated analysis pipelines.

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Read the case study: Beyond emergency testing: staying ahead of SARS-CoV-2 with NGS to help disrupt the current trajectory ›

Targeted NGS workflow for the Ion AmpliSeq SARS-CoV-2 Insight Research Assay

Complementary Ion Torrent NGS systems for SARS-CoV-2 research

Ion GeneStudio S5 Series

Scalable, targeted NGS workhorse with wide application breadth and throughput capability

Higher-throughput scalability for cost-effective processing of a large number of research samples
Perform assays for research of viral typing and epidemiology, immune response, microbiome analysis, and vaccines on the same platform

Learn more about SARS-CoV-2 research using the GeneStudio S5 Series System ›

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Ion Torrent Genexus Integrated Sequencer

Go from nucleic acid to report in a single day with a hands-off, automated workflow*

Hands-off, setup-and-go workflow with automated reverse transcription, library prep, template prep, sequencing, and analysis all on one instrument
Perform assays for viral typing and epidemiology research and TCR sequencing

Learn more about SARS-CoV-2 research using the Genexus System ›

Request project costs