This video discusses the prevalent challenges in Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) library preparation, highlighting its labor-intensive and error-prone nature, and the complexities associated with traditional lab automation. Two Roche NGS experts, Terry Mueller and Scott Vero, share their experiences with issues like excessive hands-on time, staffing shortages, inter-technician variability, and the significant effort required to integrate and program disparate automation systems.
The presentation then introduces the Roche Avenio Edge system, a Class One IVD system designed to address these challenges. The Avenio Edge is a fully integrated, enclosed platform that automates DNA purification, library prep, target enrichment, pooling, and quantification. Key features include a true "walkaway" experience with only 20 minutes of manual setup, comprehensive device integration (thermocycler, shakers, magnets, quantification module), a guided touchscreen interface, barcoded ready-mixed reagents, and automated verification steps. An internal study demonstrates that the Avenio Edge drastically reduces manual steps (by 91% compared to manual prep) and saves over 9 hours of uninterrupted hands-on time. Furthermore, Roche provides single-vendor support for the entire system, ensuring faster deployment, simplified training, and consistent calibration, aiming to democratize advanced NGS automation for all labs.
0:00 Introduction to NGS Library Prep Challenges: Andy Chong introduces the webinar, highlighting that NGS library preparation is laborious, time-consuming, and requires intense focus, making it prone to errors. Traditional automation also presents challenges like system learning, protocol development, updates, and maintenance.
0:41 Expert Insights on Challenges: Terry Mueller and Scott Vero, Roche NGS experts, discuss major field challenges including excessive hands-on time, understaffed labs leading to interruptions, and variability in results due to different technician techniques (e.g., tip mixing vs. vortexing).
0:02:41 Automation Complexity and Setup: Scott emphasizes that while automation ensures consistency, getting a system operational is difficult. It requires expertise in liquid handler programming and biochemistry, integrating multiple devices (thermocyclers, magnets, shakers), and often takes 6 months or more to fully set up and verify workflows.
0:05:31 Addressing Customization Needs: Scott explains that Roche has developed flexible methods allowing users to customize parameters like sample numbers and PCR cycles. However, he notes that building such flexibility into automation methods is complex and requires extensive verification, a often-overlooked development cost.
0:07:57 Introducing the Avenio Edge System: Andy announces the Avenio Edge, a new Class One IVD system launched in the US. It's fully enclosed and integrates all necessary devices for library prep, target enrichment, pooling, and quantification in one box.
0:08:31 True Walkaway Experience: A key feature is the "true walkaway experience," requiring only 20 minutes of manual setup, after which users can leave the system unattended to work on other tasks.
0:11:37 Integrated Features for Ease of Use: Scott details the Avenio Edge's features, including full integration of thermocyclers, heater shakers, cooling blocks, a magnetic positioner, and an onboard quantification module, all controlled by a single power button.
0:12:03 Guided Setup and Verification: The system uses an intuitive touchscreen for step-by-step consumable placement. Reagents are ready-mixed and barcoded (eliminating master mix preparation), and plastic consumables/tip racks are also barcoded and color-coded. The system performs barcode scans and physical verification (using pressure sensors) to ensure correct deck setup.
0:13:04 Customizable Parameters and Audit Trail: Users can customize run parameters like amplification conditions and cleanup ratios. The software provides a complete log for LIMS integration, records maintenance, and includes an integrated UV decontamination option.
0:13:42 Significant Reduction in Manual Steps and Errors: An internal study comparing Avenio Edge to manual and other automated workflows showed that Avenio Edge requires only 14 manual steps for the HyperCap workflow. This reduces user errors by 91% compared to manual preparation and 88% compared to other automation platforms.
0:14:43 Substantial Time Savings: The study also revealed Avenio Edge reduces total hands-on time to 106 minutes, saving over 9 hours of uninterrupted hands-on time compared to manual preparation.
0:15:37 Comprehensive Roche Support: Roche offers single-vendor support for the entire Avenio Edge system (instrument, devices, software, reagents). Deployment is fast (3 days installation), and on-site training requires no prior automation experience, enabling labs to be up and running within weeks.
0:16:49 Quality Assurance and Maintenance: Roche service ensures optimal calibration and performs pipetting verification during installation and maintenance. Routine user maintenance is simplified with on-screen instructions.
0:17:26 Conclusion and Resources: The Avenio Edge system aims to help labs transition from manual NGS and overcome traditional automation challenges. More information is available at sequencing.roche.com/avenioedge, including a self-guided virtual tour.