The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard has bought an Access Array system from Fluidigm to automate its sample preparation for targeted resequencing.
The system is said to enhance the capabilities of next-generation sequencing platforms by allowing the preparation of several sample libraries in parallel.
The multiplexed Access Array sample preparation system enables parallel amplification of 48 samples - the equivalent of 48 sequencing libraries - in a few hours.
The system is used for target enrichment, sample barcoding for multiplexed sequencing, and sequencing library preparation using amplicon tagging.
Gajus Worthington, president and chief executive officer at Fluidigm, said the Access Array system's ability to use very small amounts of sample and prepare libraries for amplicon-based resequencing to help the Broad with a number of research projects.
The Access Array system can be used with any PCR-based sample preparation method and with the reagents and primers of the customer's choosing.
Fluidigm offers Access Array target-specific primers as an easy way for customers to generate sequencer-ready amplicons for next-generation sequencing.
The company currently offers custom PCR-based primer design for human-targeted resequencing.
The Access Array system includes specific single-use microfluidic integrated fluidic circuits (IFCs), two IFC controllers and a standalone thermal cycler to deliver results in four hours.
