The QIAseq Targeted RNAscan Panels are a complete Sample to Insight solution that applies the molecular barcode-based digital RNA sequencing strategy to quantify known and new fusion genes. Digital RNA sequencing is a unique approach in which genes are tagged with molecular barcodes before amplification, overcoming the issues of PCR duplicates and library bias. In addition, the unique single primer extension approach allows the detection of new fusion gene partners. The proprietary data-analysis pipeline enables highly confident calls of low-abundance fusion transcripts and novel fusion gene identification.

Each QIAseq Targeted RNAscan Panel contains all the necessary components to construct libraries from enriched targets. The panels are platform-agnostic and will work on both Illumina and Ion Torrent instruments. The primer design is based on single primer extension, in which each target is enriched by one target-specific primer and one universal primer – a strategy that reduces the amount of required primers. All primers required for a panel are pooled into an individual primer pool to reduce panel handling and the number of pools required for enrichment and library construction. Platform-specific indexes, which are contained in a separate box, allow multiplexing of up to 384 samples per sequencing run.

Custom panels can be designed to target known gene fusions based on characterized breakpoints, or to discover novel fusions using the exon- or gene-based designs.