Sample Processing Workflow


Asuragen’s sample processing workflows are designed to maximize data quality and minimize turn-around time. As a client-oriented service provider, our clients benefit from a transparent and accessible process that allows them the flexibility to submit a variety of different sample types and receive customized data output.


All our workflows feature process controls, certainty of extensive operator qualification, and our Data Quality Guarantee.


Sample prep workflow

All samples are received and entered into the isolation queue under a controlled SOP to confirm package/sample integrity, appropriate shipping conditions (frozen samples/dry ice, as appropriate), and individual confirmation of sample identity against the shipping manifest and electronic sample submission documents


Standard RNA isolation quality control criteria include yield, purity, and integrity. All Asuragen isolation protocols are qualified by these criteria in addition to RNA stability, endonuclease and exonuclease contamination, and residual DNA contamination measurements. These additional QC measures are also available for your RNA isolations at an additional charge. Unless noted, all RNA isolation methods are optimized to recover miRNA.


Typical yield, purity, integrity, stability, DNA contamination, and endo/exonuclease data on a wide variety of tissues and cell lines are available for inspection. [more info]


Affymetrix or Illumina gene expression profiling workflows:

All samples are received and entered into the analysis queue under a controlled SOP to confirm package/sample integrity, appropriate shipping conditions (frozen samples/dry ice, as appropriate), and individual confirmation of sample identity against the shipping manifest and electronic sample submission documents.


Agilent or Affymetrix miRNA expression profiling workflows:

  • Incoming total RNA QC (click here):
    • Quantitation and estimation of RNA purity using NanoDrop spectrophotometer readings at 260 and 280 nm
    • Assessment of RNA integrity using Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer to measure RNA integrity number (

      RIN)

    • See our Sample Submission Form and Shipping Instructions for recommended incoming sample QC values
  • Target preparation
  • Array hybridization, washing, and scanning followed by array QC analysis
  • Data summarization (click here for additional analysis services)
  • miRInform Data Delivery System (if applicable)

Sample Submission Form and Shipping Instructions.


Applied Biosystems miRNA, mRNA, or SNP TaqMan® workflows:

  1. Incoming RNA QC by NanoDrop and Agilent Bioanalyzer
  2. Reverse-transcription by miRNA-specific priming, or pooled priming in the case of the Human miRNA LDA card
  3. Real-time detection via TaqMan primer & probe technology in triplicate for single miRNA assays, or per-card for the LDA format

Sample Submission Form and Shipping Instructions


Bioinformatics services SSP and miRInform™ workflows

  • Data summarization (if necessary)
  • Normalization by VSN
  • Calculation of QC metrics
  • Statistical analysis by one-way or multi-way ANOVA
  • Generation of reports and graphs

Custom workflows:

Many projects require custom workflows specific to the information available and deliverables required. Contact Asuragen for information on any of these workflows or other services not listed here:


  • Custom array processing workflows, including alternative target preparation or labeling protocols
  • Biomarker signature or classifier development, validation, equivalence testing, or CLIA implementation
  • Pathway analysis by Ingenuity® Pathways Analysis or Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA)
  • microRNA target prediction and associated mRNA pathway analysis