Ultima Genomics has revolutionized high-throughput, production scale sequencing while driving down the sequencing cost per genome to under $100. This increase in throughput has shifted the total cost per sample to the library preparation process. Labor, reagent and consumables represent the key cost contributors and bottlenecks, even when using liquid handling robots. The individual processing of each sample through SPRI cleanup, quantification, QC assessment and normalized pooling is a major bottleneck, particularly when attempting to scale to current sequencing output.

Using iconPCR, this study shows the efficiencies gained by employing iconPCR’s AutoNormalization to enable >95% reduction in the time, consumables including tips, tubes and 96-well plates.

A dilution series of input DNA spanning 10-120 ng input were processed and sequenced to demonstrate the workflow improvements, cost savings, while maintaining high degree of uniformity in representation of each sample in a multiplexed sequencing run.