Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) Research Using the Genexus Integrated Sequencer

A major challenge for microbiologists and virologists is the prediction of patterns of evolution and emergence of disease agents. RNA viruses like coronaviruses share the biological feature of high genetic variability, which causes them to appear as clouds of mutants. Coronavirus variants also emerge through antigenic shift within animal reservoirs, such as bats, snakes, pangolins.

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Watch video: see the importance of targeted NGS for SARS-CoV-2 epidemiology and transmission research ›

Download ebook: advances in epidemiological research using NGS ›

Read case study: Children's Hospital Los Angeles goes beyond emergency testing: staying ahead of SARS-CoV-2 with NGS to help disrupt the current trajectory ›

Ion Torrent targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) enables a streamlined research workflow for complete genome sequencing and epidemiological studies of SARS-CoV-2 (the coronavirus responsible for COVID-19). Through the use of a set of highly specific, universal coronavirus primers in combination with a high-fidelity master mix, all genomic segments are amplified, sequenced, and analyzed in an automated workflow on the Ion Torrent Genexus Integrated Sequencer. This new NGS solution enables you to rapidly go from nucleic acid to variant report in under a single day with minimal hands-on time.

The Ion AmpliSeq SARS-CoV-2 Insight Research Assay consists of two pools with amplicons 125–275 bp in length for complete coverage of over 99% of the viral genome and variants.

Benefits of Ion AmpliSeq SARS-CoV-2 Insight Research Assay for the Genexus Integrated Sequencer include:

• Rapid turnaround time—our fastest NGS workflow for infectious disease research for critically time sensitive applications
• Automation—hands-off, setup-and-go workflowenables minimal user touchpoints, lowering user variability and increasing reproducibility of results
• Accuracy of variants—lower substitution errors for SNVs
• Higher success rates—analyze samples directly with low viral loads 
• Higher-resolution and longer-read NGS—accurate and rapid viral typing for viral surveillance and epidemiology investigation