Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) Workflow

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is a molecular laboratory technique that seeks to identify the order of nucleotides in DNA or RNA fragments. While several different NGS technologies exist on the market today, they all share a common workflow.

First, nucleic acids are extracted from the tissues of the test subject. The resultant nucleic acids are purified, washing away proteins and other potentially inhibitory substances.

Next, the NGS library is prepared. Most commonly, this is achieved through the polymerase-chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the sample. Primers are designed to preferentially amplify specific genes or regions of interest, Alternatively, short molecular "tags" or indices of known sequence are ligated to the nucleic acids, allowing for PCR amplification, as well as sample identification in the downstream analysis. 

Then, the prepared libraries are pooled together and undergo the sequencing reaction. The sequencing reaction generates a massive amount of data which must be analyzed with specialty tools to determine the nucleic acid sequence and create meaning for the data.

Data analysis is where FastQueue comes in. Traditionally a slow and labor intensive process, FastQueue automates this process through automated bioinformatics pipelines. Pipelines facilitate rapid and on-demand analysis of the NGS data, while simultaneously reducing the cost associated with data processing and storage.