PerkinElmer Launches NEXTFLEX Variant-Seq SARS-CoV-2 Kit v2
By Sam Brusco, Associate Editor | 12.08.21
NGS assay will help labs increase sequencing throughput and reliably identify variants.
PerkinElmer launched its NEXTFLEX Variant-Seq SARS-CoV-2 Kit v2 for research use only (RUO) to boost detection of SARS-CoV-2 variants, The next-generation sequencing (NGS) assay will help labs increase sequencing throughput and reliably identify variants.
The kit detects mutations associated with all SARS-CoV-2 variants, including the Omicron variant. It incorporates the company’s newly developed NEXTFLEX normalization beads that reduce turnaround by three house on average for 96 samples, compared to other standard library prep kits.
“The emergence of the Omicron variant has reaffirmed the important role that SARS-CoV-2 surveillance will play in ending the COVID-19 pandemic,” James Atwood, general manager of Applied Genomics at PerkinElmer told the press. “The NEXTFLEX Variant-Seq SARS-CoV-2 Kit v2 workflow was specifically designed to meet the needs of the surveillance community by increasing speed from sample to result, increasing throughput and reducing workflow complexity.”
Additionally, the kit uses 1,536 unique dual index barcodes to allow sequencing 6,000 SARS-CoV-2 libraries in one flow cell, providing high throughput and minimizing per samples costs.
The company also offers the PKamp VariantDetect SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR Assay to qualitatively detect and differentiate known SARS-CoV-2 mutations, including Omicron. Labs can use the assay for second-tier mutation typing. It’s compatible with commonly available RT-PCR instruments, and provides results in two hours.
The kit detects mutations associated with all SARS-CoV-2 variants, including the Omicron variant. It incorporates the company’s newly developed NEXTFLEX normalization beads that reduce turnaround by three house on average for 96 samples, compared to other standard library prep kits.
“The emergence of the Omicron variant has reaffirmed the important role that SARS-CoV-2 surveillance will play in ending the COVID-19 pandemic,” James Atwood, general manager of Applied Genomics at PerkinElmer told the press. “The NEXTFLEX Variant-Seq SARS-CoV-2 Kit v2 workflow was specifically designed to meet the needs of the surveillance community by increasing speed from sample to result, increasing throughput and reducing workflow complexity.”
Additionally, the kit uses 1,536 unique dual index barcodes to allow sequencing 6,000 SARS-CoV-2 libraries in one flow cell, providing high throughput and minimizing per samples costs.
The company also offers the PKamp VariantDetect SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR Assay to qualitatively detect and differentiate known SARS-CoV-2 mutations, including Omicron. Labs can use the assay for second-tier mutation typing. It’s compatible with commonly available RT-PCR instruments, and provides results in two hours.
