High-level Control Added to Illumina Next Generation Sequencing Workflows

Beckman Coulter Genomics, providers of expert genomics solutions to research and healthcare institutions worldwide, has integrated a Genologics Clarity Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) into their Illumina HiSeq-based workflows to offer Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) with the highest level of data management and methods control.

RNA sequencing, target capture, whole-genome sequencing and pre-made library samples are tracked by the LIMS from acquisition through QC, library prep and Illumina sequencing. Reliable and flexible sample handling is provided for all workflows and chain of custody information is preserved.

The Beckman Coulter Life Sciences’ Biomek FX liquid handling and robotics platforms are integrated with the system as well, providing further sample processing and security benefits.  Any number of robots and QC instruments can be brought into the process and run together, so projects can be scaled as needed.  Output from the robots is received by the LIMS and all transactions are recorded.

“Customer samples are paramount and drive processes here,” said Tim Anderson, Vice President and General Manager of Genomic Services at Beckman Coulter Genomics. “Running samples on Beckman Coulter robots using the Illumina HiSeq instrument with Clarity system information management enables us to provide scientists with timely and reliable analysis of their NGS samples.”

Clarity is one of the few LIMS systems that offer an upgrade option to audit to clinical standards and is approved for CFR part 11 recordkeeping. All future NGS applications at Beckman Coulter Genomics will be performed in the Genologics Clarity LIMS workflow.