QIAseq DIRECT SARS-CoV-2 Kit C

From QIAGEN, the QIAseq DIRECT SARS-CoV-2 Kit C is a targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) library preparation kit developed for SARS-CoV-2 research. It supports whole genome coverage of the SARS-CoV-2 viral genome for epidemiological research and genomic surveillance purposes, and accurate amplification with high genome coverage enables the detection of new variants. The kit can multiplex up to 384 samples so laboratories can scale up sequencing capacity.

Reagents optimised for primer pool C target additional regions of the SARS-CoV-2 genome, and the kit is designed for compatibility with Illumina sequencing platforms and standard downstream analysis tools. The workflow delivers reproducible multiplexed library preparation with consistent sample throughput. It is intended for research use and is used in combination with other pools to increase genomic coverage.

A published protocol describes an approximately five hour turn-around time from viral RNA sample to sequencing. The kit includes cDNA synthesis, SARS-CoV-2 enrichment, and library amplification and indexing reagents. RNA input is 5 μl regardless of viral load. Amplification uses two primer pools producing overlapping amplicons of approximately 250 bp in size, so no fragmentation is necessary prior to sequencing on Illumina platforms. The kit provides 10 bp unique dual indexes (UDIs), and with a cycle read length of 149 for each paired-end read, sequencing time is just over 28 hours.