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SPT Labtech Firefly Liquid Handling Platform

SPT Labtech this week launched the Firefly liquid handling platform for next-generation sequencing library prep. Firefly combines pipetting, dispensing, incubating, and shaking into a single platform. It features a 384-pipetting module and three or six dispense heads, and the pipetting operates in several configurations: 384, 96, columns of 16 (364 format), and columns of 8 (96 format), from 0.5 µL to 125 µL (extending to 50 µL with an optional adapter). The platform is fully application ready with prevalidated protocols for library preparation kits NEBNext Ultra II DNA; NEBNext Ultra II FS DNA; NEBNext Ultra II RNA; and Illumina DNA Prep with a rolling program of new validated protocols in development. In addition, a peer-to-peer cloud-based network will allow researchers to share their custom protocols and use SPT Labtech's validated tools.

The Scan

Hormone-Based Gene Therapy to Sterilize Domestic Cat

A new paper in Nature Communication suggests that gene therapy could be a safer alternative to spaying domestic cats.

Active Lifestyle Linked to Type 2 Diabetes Prevention in People at High Genetic Risk

A study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine shows that an active lifestyle goes a long way in type 2 diabetes prevention.

Beneficial, Harmful Effects of Introgression Between Wild and Domesticated European Grapes

A paper in PNAS shows that European wild grapevines were an important resource for improving the flavor of cultivated wine grapes.

Genetic Ancestry of South America's Indigenous Mapuche Traced

Researchers in Current Biology analyzed genome-wide data from more than five dozen Mapuche individuals to better understand their genetic history.