Tecan DreamPrep NGS Compact High-Throughput Automated Library Preparation System
| Brand | Tecan |
|---|---|
| Origin | Switzerland |
| Model | Fluent 480 Library Prep System |
| Sample Type | Purified Nucleic Acids |
| Throughput | 1–96 samples per run |
| Temperature Control Range (Deck Position) | 0–105 °C |
| Pipetting Range | 0.5–1000 µL |
| Deck Capacity | 30 positions (excluding expansion modules) |
| Kit Compatibility | Fully open platform — validated with >30 commercial NGS and third-generation library prep kits (Illumina, BGI, Element Biosciences, PacBio, Oxford Nanopore Technologies) |
| Cycle Time | Protocol- and input-volume dependent |
Overview
The Tecan DreamPrep NGS Compact High-Throughput Automated Library Preparation System is an integrated, walk-away solution engineered for reproducible, scalable next-generation sequencing (NGS) library construction in core facilities, translational research labs, and clinical genomics environments. Built upon the Tecan Fluent 480 modular liquid handling platform, it combines precise thermally controlled deck architecture, high-accuracy low-volume pipetting (0.5–1000 µL), and standardized workflow orchestration to execute end-to-end library prep—from fragmentation and end-repair to adapter ligation, size selection, and PCR amplification—without manual intervention. Unlike fixed-function instruments, the DreamPrep NGS system implements a true open-platform design: it does not require proprietary reagents or locked protocols. Instead, it executes vendor-agnostic workflows defined by standard SOPs, enabling laboratories to maintain full control over chemistry selection, cost optimization, and method validation across diverse assay types including whole-genome sequencing (WGS), targeted panels, RNA-seq, and long-read library preparation.
Key Features
- Modular Fluent 480 architecture with 30 programmable deck positions, supporting simultaneous integration of thermal cyclers, magnetic bead separators, centrifuges, and spectrophotometers (e.g., Infinite 200 Pro Reader F Nano+ for QC quantification)
- Thermally regulated deck zones (0–105 °C) enabling precise temperature management during enzymatic reactions, denaturation steps, and incubations—critical for enzyme fidelity and fragment size distribution consistency
- High-precision dual-arm pipetting with 0.5 µL minimum dispense volume and CV <2% at 10 µL, ensuring accurate reagent delivery across low-input FFPE, cfDNA, and single-cell applications
- Automated barcode tracking and sample traceability via integrated RFID readers and LIMS-compatible sample tube labeling
- Pre-validated, protocol-agnostic method templates for >30 commercially available NGS library prep kits—including Illumina TruSight, IDT xGen, NEBNext, Takara SMARTer, Oxford Nanopore Ligation Sequencing Kits, and PacBio SMRTbell Express
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The DreamPrep NGS system accepts purified DNA and RNA inputs in standard 96-well plates, tubes (0.2–2.0 mL), and strip formats. It supports input volumes from 1 ng to 1 µg and accommodates fragmented nucleic acids down to 50 bp. All workflows are designed to comply with ISO/IEC 17025:2017 requirements for testing laboratories and align with GLP/GMP documentation practices. Audit trails, electronic signatures, and change-controlled method versions are fully supported through Tecan’s Freedom EVOware® software, meeting FDA 21 CFR Part 11 compliance standards when deployed in regulated environments. Instrument qualification documentation (IQ/OQ/PQ) packages are available upon request.
Software & Data Management
Controlled by Freedom EVOware v5.5+, the system delivers intuitive graphical workflow programming, real-time run monitoring, and comprehensive data logging. Each run generates timestamped, immutable logs containing pipetting events, temperature profiles, error flags, and QC metrics (e.g., post-library yield, fragment size distribution via integrated reader output). Raw data exports conform to MIAME and MINSEQE standards. Integration with major LIMS platforms (e.g., LabVantage, STARLIMS, Thermo Fisher SampleManager) is achieved via HL7 and RESTful API interfaces. Method libraries are version-controlled and exportable as XML-based protocol archives for inter-lab transfer and regulatory submission.
Applications
- High-fidelity WGS library prep for germline and somatic variant detection in oncology and rare disease studies
- Targeted enrichment workflows using hybridization- or amplicon-based capture (e.g., Agilent SureSelect, Roche NimbleGen, IDT xGen Exome)
- Single-cell and low-input RNA-seq library generation with UMIs and strand-specificity preservation
- Long-read library construction for PacBio HiFi and Oxford Nanopore ultra-long DNA/RNA sequencing
- Automated QC integration: on-deck fluorometric quantification (Qubit-style), absorbance-based purity assessment (A260/A280), and fragment analysis (via optional capillary electrophoresis module)
FAQ
Does the DreamPrep NGS system require proprietary reagents?
No. It is a fully open platform designed to run any commercially available NGS or third-generation library prep kit without licensing restrictions.
Can the system be validated for use in CLIA- or CAP-accredited laboratories?
Yes. The Fluent 480 hardware and Freedom EVOware software support full IQ/OQ/PQ execution and meet 21 CFR Part 11 requirements for electronic records and signatures.
What level of technical support is provided for custom protocol development?
Tecan offers application engineering services including protocol porting, performance verification (precision, accuracy, carryover), and SOP documentation aligned with ISO 15189 or CAP checklist requirements.
Is remote monitoring and troubleshooting supported?
Yes. Secure remote access via Tecan Remote Support (TRS) enables real-time diagnostics, log analysis, and collaborative protocol optimization with certified field application scientists.
