Turn-Key cfDNA Extraction Workflow Showcasing Low Frequency Variant Detection

Ongoing research has demonstrated the potential of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) as a universal biomarker for cancer detection, non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), and transplant rejection monitoring through its ability to reflect physiological and pathological conditions in the body. cfDNA is a challenging analyte, as it is found in low abundance and in a background of contaminating genomic DNA. Reliable, reproducible, and high-throughput extraction methodology is imperative for utilizing the full potential of cfDNA in a clinical setting.

Streamlining processes from prefilling reagents to plug-and-play scripting not only enhances speed and accuracy but also allows for improved productivity, precision, and reproducibility. The objective of this application note is to equip researchers with a simple, pre-scripted workflow for automating cfDNA extraction on the Hamilton MagEx STAR using traceable, pre-filled reagent reservoirs. Suitability for use downstream was evaluated using droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) for detecting ultra-low variants with high specificity.

Download the Application Note to read on.