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About this Lunch & Learn
In this Virtual Lunch and Learn, professionals from EMBL (GeneCore), New England Biolabs and SPT Labtech will outline the journey toward automating the NEBNext UltraExpress mRNA library preparation workflow on the SPT Labtech firefly®+ platform. They will guide you through the individual steps involved in transforming the workflow, from initial manual testing on the bench to a fully automated solution.
Ferris Jung, Alicia He and Jing Zhang will discuss key considerations when translating a manual protocol into an automated workflow, including liquid-handling constraints and strategies to maximize the capabilities of the instrument.
The session will also highlight challenging steps encountered during implementation, along with the approaches used to address them and ensure robust performance.
What you'll learn
- Approaches to improving reproducibility and reducing hands-on time in mRNA library preparation
- Key steps and considerations for automating the NEBNext UltraExpress mRNA workflow
- Common challenges in method transfer and how to overcome them on the firefly®+ platform
Speakers
Ferris Jung is a Senior Engineer for NGS Automation at the Genomics Core Facility at EMBL (GeneCore), Ferris Jung specializes in streamlining and optimizing NGS workflows, liquid handling systems, and laboratory automation. With expertise in extracting, handling, and assessing nucleic acids, Ferris is responsible for preparing NGS libraries
Alicia He, PhD is a Field Application Specialist at New England Biolabs (Germany), where she focuses on providing technical sales and application support to NGS customers across the DACH region. In addition, she collaborates extensively with automation vendors to support the development, optimization, and deployment of automated NEBNext NGS scripts. She is committed to supporting the NGS community by building strong, long‑term customer relationships, delivering high‑quality scientific guidance, and supporting successful implementation of both manual and automated NGS solutions.
Dr. Jing Zhang is a Field Application Scientist at SPT Labtech, supporting researchers through SPT product training and the integration of automated liquid handling solutions. With a PhD from the Shanghai Institute for Biochemistry and Cell Biology and extensive research experience, including post-doctoral work in hematopoietic stem cell and immunology field, Jing bridges the gap between complex life science research and actionable automated solutions. She is passionate about helping labs optimize their workflows in omics and cell biology, turning innovative technology into seamless, high-efficiency experimental results.
To watch the Lunch & Learn recording, complete the form on the left.