Sanger sequencing and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods have been the standard molecular methods in clinical diagnostics for decades.  Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) technology revolutionized the field of genomics, transcriptomics and metagenomics and is now swiftly becoming a routine method in different areas of clinical diagnostics [1,2].

Vela Diagnostics developed an integrated automated multi-purpose Sentosa® workflow, which consists of:

1. A customized robotic liquid handling system for nucleic acid extraction, PCR set-up and/ or NGS library preparation (Sentosa® SX101) 
2. Instruments for real-time PCR or template preparation and deep sequencing
3. Kits for nucleic acid extraction, real-time PCR-based tests, NGS library preparation assays and reagents for deep sequencing
4. Flexible and easily customizable assay specific applications
5. Data analysis and reporting software

The combined automated qPCR & NGS Sentosa® workflow is a reliable and efficient in-vitro diagnostics tool for the detection and/or quantitation of a wide range of bacterial and viral pathogens as well as gene mutations. The unique ability of the Sentosa workflow is to provide complete & relevant information to aid clinical decision-making and patient management. 
 
We’ll look at how this single, rapid workflow may be applied to HIV and HCV, delivering accurate genotyping information and in the detection of drug-resistant mutations.
 
We’ll also see how this workflow is able to deliver actionable oncology results using liquid biopsy samples (cfDNA) with utility in NSCLC, CRC, and BRAF mutation detection.