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The Era of Next- Generation Molecular Microbiology
The Era of Next-Generation Molecular Microbiology
INTRODUCTION
Driven by the inherent human desire to understand our world, biological sciences emerged as a quest to unravel its workings.
Through experimentation and imagination, we yearned to grasp the inherent design and purpose of nature. This journey reached a significant milestone with the decoding of the genetic code, unveiling the fundamental instructions for building life. However, this breakthrough revealed not only the elegance of this simple four-letter code but also the vast and intricate world of complexity that it governs. Until recently, this complexity appeared like a daunting mountain, its summit forever out of reach.
However, the evolution of sequencing technology, from slow, laborious methods to the rapid, affordable power of next-generation sequencing, has transformed our ability to explore this complexity. As these technologies continue to evolve, we stand poised to not only map life's intricate landscapes but also unlock the secrets of their evolution.
RAPID GENOTYPING – The ‘Why’ behind the Science
A key demonstration of this was how the scientific community efficiently kept track of COVID variants as they evolved in nature’s playground to develop testing kits that underwent rapid modifications. Inexpensive Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) was a key driver of this effort. Though the threat of emerging diseases remains imminent and should not be ignored, the same technologies are now being deployed to understand human pathologies such as inherited diseases and cancer.
OUR GENOMICS SERVICES AND PRODUCTS
The growing popularity of non-invasive blood tests for genetic analysis has highlighted two key challenges: Sample preservation and Efficient DNA extraction.
To address these issues, the HiPurA® cfDNA Collection tube (MBLA004) allows for room temperature storage of blood samples, while the HiPurA® Cell-free DNA Purification Kit (MB586PCCT24) automates DNA extraction on Insta NX Mag24 (MBLA020), ensuring quality samples suitable for next-generation sequencing (NGS). Field trials involving over 300 clinical samples, showed that this streamlined workflow successfully extracted sequencing-grade DNA for downstream applications such as non-invasive prenatal testing and oncology diagnostics.
Using HiGx360®’s Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) - MBS201 and Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) – MBS212 services showed us that these innovations resulted in samples that were suitable for multiple sequencing applications.
Another open front in personalized healthcare is our microbiome, a community of microbial life that can be leading indicators of health conditions. HiMedia’s automated DNA extraction platform Insta NX Mag16+ (MBLA018) was used to extract DNA from human faecal matter and was tested using a temporal sample preservation study. We observed robust quantitative reproducibility in targeted metagenomics sequencing using HiGx360®’s microbiome profiling solution (MBS206).
OUTLOOK & FUTURE PROMISE
As the field of next-generation sequencing (NGS) continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, its impact on healthcare is undeniable. By unlocking the secrets hidden within our genomes and microbiomes, NGS has the potential to revolutionize diagnostics, treatment strategies, and even preventative measures.
With continued research and development, coupled with the expertise of the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL), and accredited testing facilities like HiMedia’s, NGS holds the promise of ushering in a new era of personalized medicine, empowering individuals to take a more proactive role in their health and well-being.
