Magnis and the Small Gene Project

Increasing demand for molecular genetic testing, without increased staffing, requires laboratories to devise innovative solutions that utilize technologies outside a Sanger sequencing-based approach. Due to its limited throughput, lack of scalability, and reduced sensitivity for low-level somatic variant detection, we are implementing a massively parallel sequencing (MPS) approach for our routine testing. This approach has enabled us to expand our testing regime to include more genes and develop an in-house somatic variant pipeline in the future. 
Our “small gene panel” assay is performed on the Agilent Magnis NGS Prep system. It offers a small-scale, fully automated, SureSelect XT capture-based library preparation with a turnaround time of less than 12 hours. The use of the Magnis instrument has several benefits, including improved library reproducibility, while also minimizing scientist “hands-on” laboratory time. This bench-top instrument is capable for critically fast turnaround time from sample receipt to variant reporting in as little as six working days. We will present our experience of this instrument and technology here.