Clontech Laboratories Inc, Partners with Rubicon Genomics to Increase Speed and Efficiency of Sample Preparation for RNA Sequencing

Clontech Laboratories, Inc and Rubicon Genomics, Inc. announced today that they have partnered to integrate Clontech's SMART technology with Rubicon's ThruPLEX technology to increase the efficiency and quality of RNA sample preparation for a variety of next generation sequencing (NGS) applications. The launch of the SMARTer® Universal Low Input RNA Library Prep Kit, which combines ThruPLEX technology with Clontech's SMARTer Universal Low Input RNA Kit for Sequencing, provides an unparalleled solution to generate libraries for transcriptome analysis from very low amounts of total RNA, including compromised or non-PolyA RNA samples. There is a need for RNA seq methods that provide accurate transcript information when sample quantity is limiting — for example, in studies on single cells or FFPE samples.

Clontech's SMARTer Universal Low Input RNA Library Prep Kit is designed and validated to generate libraries from very low amounts of compromised RNA, for transcriptome analysis on Illumina® NGS instruments. The SMARTer Universal Low Input RNA Library Prep Kit combines the sensitive and accurate gene coverage of SMART technology with ThruPLEX library prep technology, making it a powerful tool for RNA seq studies on small samples of compromised material, e.g. FFPE tissue.

Rubicon's ThruPLEX technology incorporates a streamlined one-tube, three-step process without intermediate purifications, transfers, columns or gels. The reduced steps and material transfers decrease the likelihood of experimental variability, bias and contamination. ThruPLEX technology is designed and validated for use with samples with very low inputs, between 50 picograms and 50 nanograms of input DNA, and is a perfect partner downstream of the SMARTer kits for RNA-seq. The technology is currently available for sequencing on Illumina HiSeq®, MiSeq® and Genome Analyzer™ instruments.

"Our SMART technology and Rubicon's ThruPLEX technology are highly complementary, and we believe that combining the two provides an ideal solution for RNA sequencing studies using low input RNA samples," said Carol Lou, General Manager of Clontech. "We are excited to announce the launch of the SMARTer Universal Low Input RNA Library Prep Kit today, and we will be launching additional combined products in the coming months."

"The launch of the SMARTer Universal Low Input RNA Library Prep Kit is an example of our strategy to partner with industry leaders to extend the reach of our proprietary technology," noted James Koziarz, CEO of Rubicon Genomics. "Combining ThruPLEX with Clontech's SMARTer sample preparation technologies for RNA sequencing enables researchers to achieve the highest quality results for transcriptome analysis."