The introduction of in-house next generation sequencing systems has made it possible to sequence DNA right at the benchtop of scientists. Scientists no longer have to send samples off to a faraway lab that can take weeks or months to return results. Having more accurate results in a quicker matter can have a huge impact on the outcomes of oncology cases. In this article, we’ll discuss the three main benefits of in-house next generation sequencing.
1. More Affordable
When using outside sequencing labs, it can be challenging to keep up with what sequencing companies are charging, especially since these prices are constantly changing. By using an in-house next generation sequencing platform, you’ll have an exact idea as to how much a particular test will cost. More so, it gives you more control over your costs.
You won’t have to worry about being overcharged for something because you didn’t read your contract carefully. Or maybe you didn’t look into alternative options available at that time. There will be no hidden fees or mystery charges; what you see is what you get.
In-house technology gives you more control and transparency than ever before on your laboratory costs. This means you won’t have to wonder whether a lab charge covered certain services because they shouldn’t be.
2. Better Accuracy
This in turn allows for more accurate cancer diagnosis and treatment plans for patients and better outcomes as a result. While outsourcing can be quicker, it often proves less accurate than in-house sequencing, especially when dealing with numerous samples at once. Therefore, it’s advisable to perform and analyze next generation sequencing for oncology internally at a medical facility.
This level of quality control measure is extremely important for clients, especially those undergoing cancer diagnoses. More so, it helps ensure that all parties involved in patient care are getting data they can rely on. Instead of receiving results based on a comparison against another company’s results, you can run your own samples against another lab’s results and receive accurate numbers.
3. Easy to Integrate Into Existing Workflows
Since next generation sequencing is performed in a lab environment, it’s easy to integrate into existing workflows. The procedure can be set up almost immediately after an equipment purchase and requires minimal training for even non-genetic experts to operate. The machines are configured to perform deep genome sequencing in a way that’s maximally flexible. This means you can always add or remove genes from your desired panel on short notice.
Integrating next-generation sequencing into your existing workflow can save you both time and money. For example, you could run NGS on genomic DNA before sending samples out for whole genome sequencing or making a library. If there is an issue in generating sequence or quality isn’t sufficient, you can just move on to something else rather than paying thousands of dollars on failed experiments. Having quality control built into your project means less heartache down the road when data is reviewed.