Illumina TruSeq DNA PCR-free

Gold standard method for shotgun DNA libraries used for whole genome sequencing and metagenomics.

Illumina TruSeq PCR-free library preparation is the method of choice for generating the highest quality DNA sequencing libraries. TruSeq PCR-free libraries have better coverage of GC-rich regions compared to PCR-based methods and the reads are more evenly distributed over the genome.

This method is recommended when:

  • You have ample starting material (>1000 ng).
  • You want to adjust the insert size of the library. Multiple insert sizes are currently available: 350 bp (standard), and 550 bp.

Sample requirements

  • Sample type: DNA
  • Concentration: 50-300 ng/µL
  • Volume requirement: 25-50 µl.
    Please contact a coordinator if the sample requirements cannot be fulfilled.
  • Amount of material used for prep: 1 µg (350 bp) or 2 µg (550 bp)

How to evaluate the sample quality

We check your samples upon arrival, however we still require our users to do their own QC steps before sending samples.

Checking the concentration
Please use fluorometric measurements (e.g. Qubit, Quant-it), not absorbance measurements (Nanodrop, spectrophotometer).

Checking the quality and purity
The DNA should be in water or EB buffer, of high quality, and ideally have an OD260/280 of 1.8-2.

If your samples are below the required thresholds, please get in touch.

What we do with your samples

Once your samples arrive at NGI, we start by performing a reception control step in which we make sure the samples meet our requirements.

If the samples fail this quality control step, we will contact you to discuss possible options. Should you choose to proceed with samples not fulfilling the criteria it will be at your own risk, NGI will only make one attempt at library preparation and if the prep does not work you will have to pay for the library preparation anyway.

If the samples pass reception control, we will inform you and the samples will be queued for library preparation.

Library preparation

DNA is sheared on a Covaris sonicator followed by a size selection using AMPure beads. Illumina adapters with sample-specific barcode sequences are ligated.

Library QC and sequencing

We evaluate the concentration of the library using qPCR and inform you of the QC status of each sample. Once the libraries have passed this QC step, they are normalised, pooled, and queued for sequencing.

The sequencing will be carried out following the setup stated in the agreement.

Expected results

TruSeq PCR-free libraries are well suited for deep sequencing to achieve high coverage genomes. The library preparation method shows a significantly better coverage of GC-rich regions compared to PCR-based methods and the reads are more evenly distributed over the genome.

Last Updated: 5th October 2024

Please read our sample submission instructions before sending samples:

Sample Submission Guidelines
Applications
Relevant Technologies
Bioinformatics Pipelines
Method Status

Accredited

Method is accredited according to ISO/IEC 17025.

Service

We are routinely running this method. Please visit the Order Portal to place an order.

NGI Uppsala

This protocol is available at NGI Uppsala.

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