Efficient Long-Read Genome Library Prep in the Wellcome Sanger Institute’s Darwin Tree of Life Project

Presenting the successful automation of a long-read whole genome library preparation using the PacBio SMRTbell long-read prep kit 3.0 (SPK3) on SPT Labtech's firefly liquid handling platform.

This automated workflow was validated as an efficient alternative to a manual process, maintaining DNA integrity and delivering high-quality sequencing results equivalent to manual library preparation. Long-read libraries from eight different species – human, mouse, cricket, oak, ladybird, snail, marine yeast, and green algae – were successfully prepared on firefly.

The species panel originated from the Darwin Tree of Life Project which aims to generate reference genomes for the estimated 70,000 eukaryotic species inhabiting the British Isles. Our study demonstrates the suitability of automated long-read library prep on firefly for large-scale genomics initiatives, providing scalability and standardization, while eliminating the need for labour-intensive and error-prone manual process.

Key learning objectives:

• Efficient Automation: Discover how automated workflows with the PacBio SMRTbell kit on firefly maintain DNA integrity and match manual sequencing quality.
• Versatile Application Across Species: Learn how the automated workflow was effectively applied to prepare long-read libraries for a diverse range of eight species.
• Enhance Scalability: See how automation scales and standardizes library prep, reducing labor and errors for large genomics projects.
  
  

Q&A: Lesley Shirley and Ben Farr are key members of the Wellcome Sanger Institute's research team working on the "Darwin Tree of Life" project. They will join us during the webinar and are eager to answer any project-related questions from the audience.