Tiago Monteiro, Anita Pearson 

Poster Presenter:  Huw Rees, Senior Field Applications Scientist, SPT Labtech

Efficient and reproducible library preparation is essential for next-generation sequencing (NGS), particularly in high-throughput environments. Illumina DNA Prep is a streamlined, bead-based tagmentation protocol that enables rapid and consistent generation of sequencing-ready libraries in under four hours, across a wide range of DNA input amounts and sample types. The workflow yields normalized libraries with uniform coverage and consistent insert sizes, eliminating the need for post-library quantification and reducing the risk of bias.

Here, we present the successful automation of the Illumina DNA Prep kit on SPT Labtech’s firefly® liquid handling platform. The protocol was implemented as a two-part workflow with a single off-deck thermocycler step, based on the Illumina DNA Prep Reference Guide (1000000025416 v11). We demonstrate that firefly’s® intuitive software interface and compact, all-in-one design enable seamless execution of the protocol, supporting walk-away automation for high-throughput sample processing.

Performance data from automated runs confirm the reliability and quality of the resulting libraries, showing consistent yield, size distribution, and sequencing performance across varying DNA input amounts. This integration empowers genomics labs to increase throughput, reduce hands-on time, and ensure reproducible results, making NGS library preparation more accessible and efficient.