Illumina SARS-CoV-2 Data Toolkit
Illumina has released a suite of data analysis tools and workflow functionality for researchers sequencing SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
The toolkit helps detect and identify the viral genome sequence in samples and contribute findings to public databases directly from BaseSpace Sequence Hub. It includes new and updated DRAGEN functionality, including a new RNA pathogen detection pipeline, a metagenomics pipeline for outbreak surveillance, an SRA import app, and a GISAID sharing app.
The research-use only toolkit is compatible with many Illumina workflows, including the respiratory virus target enrichment workflow.
Illumina is making the toolkit available to researchers worldwide for free until October 2020. Illumina is also offering a free one-year license to any researcher using its Clarity laboratory information management system for COVID-19 testing.
Eurofins Genomics US SARS-CoV-2 Plasmid DNA Controls
Eurofins Genomics US and its subsidiary BlueHeron Biotechnology have launched three SARS-CoV-2 plasmid DNA controls for verifying the presence of the virus. The controls are intended for use in both R&D and diagnostic applications and target key segments in the virus genome. One of them, CVGP, covers a large part of the viral sequence.
Loop Genomics SARS-CoV-2 Long-Read Sequencing Service
Loop Genomics has launched a service for sequencing SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, using long amplicons and synthetic long reads linked by universal molecular identifiers.
The service provides reads averaging 6 kb to 7 kb using only Illumina's short-read next-generation sequencing platform. The SARS-CoV-2 has a genome of approximately 30 kb. Along with consensus error correction, the technology allows researchers to characterize highly similar strains that have mutations thousands of bases apart.
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