Products
To avoid sample authentication errors and to correct for sample contamination in NGS workflows, DName-iT has created a proprietary molecular barcoding system, called DName® barcodes that allows the detection of sample swaps and contamination. Once the DName® barcodes are spiked in the samples, the barcode stays with the patient genetic code throughout the process, irrespective of the number of sample handling and transfer steps. In the end the results of the genes of interest are read as well as the DName® barcodes, where one can confirm the patient identity, avoiding independent patient validation steps such as additional SNP fingerprint testing, not only making the entire NGS workflow less time-consuming, but also more cost efficient.
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The DName® barcodes currently come in different recipients all depending on the requirements of the genetic testing lab and where one wants to implement the barcoding: DNames® in blood collection devices, DNames® in microtubes and DNames® in microtiter plates (96 well format).
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The DName® barcodes can be ordered in three different concentrations, depending on the contamination level that one wants to detect besides sample authentication control. Please contact us at info@dnameit.com to know the right product for your application(s).
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DName-iT has created a proprietary technology that allows for cost efficient creation of millions of unique molecular barcodes to quality control the NGS workflow from sample handling through result.
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Product Overview
DName® Barcodes
Accessory Oligos
DName® Database
DName® Software
Features
This unique and proprietary way of barcoding allows for:
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The detection of sample switching
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The detection of sample contamination
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More straightforward reporting and bridging data information
In this way one can control the entire NGS workflow from sample collection all the way through detection of the genes of interest, also controlling for potential outsourced parts of the process.
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The barcodes can also be used and spiked at different steps in the process, so that complete sub-processes are quality controlled. For example, a DName® can be spiked in blood, and after DNA extraction, another DName® can be spiked in the extracted DNA of that sample. In case of a sample switch, and/or contamination detection, the error can be traced to an error in the DNA extraction facility or NGS facility.
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The DNames® are compatible with any DNA extraction and NGS template preparation method and universally applicable on all NGS platforms.
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Although the read-out of the barcodes requires an NGS measurement, the barcodes could also be used for non-DNA based test applications where patient/sample integrity is key such as doping in sports, counterfeit in foods etc.
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Every barcode is produced once and only used once using customized robotics allowing for fully automated production of millions of unique barcodes.
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Workflow
From the moment that DNames® are added to a biological sample, the process is quality assured. During the DNA extraction, DNames® are extracted together with the DNA of the biological sample, during the NGS template preparation, DNames® are prepared together with the DNA of the biological sample as a sequencing template. In case that only certain genomic regions of a genomic sample are investigated, these are enriched from the genomic samples, e.g. by amplification or capturing by hybridization with oligonucleotides.
When accessory oligonucleotides directed to DNames® are added during the enrichment process, also DNames® are simultaneously enriched. After sequencing, sequence reads derived from DNames® are separated from the other sequence reads under investigation by DName® software. The obtained DName® barcodes are then compared with the expected DName® barcodes in a DName® database. When the obtained DName® barcodes are in agreement with the expected DName® barcodes, no sample switch did occur.
The bioinformatic analysis of the sequence reads under investigation can then be continued, if not the process is stalled, and appropriate actions are undertaken. If additional DName® barcodes are found than the expected DName® barcodes, a contamination did occur. The contamination DName® barcodes are identified and reported, as well as the level of contamination is reported. The obtained bioinformatic results of the sequence reads under investigation is then interpreted in the context of the contamination and appropriate actions are undertaken.